Chapter 20.2, Problem 1PE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The oxidation number of the metals in the given complex compound has to be written.

Concept Introduction:

Oxidation number of an element represents the number of electrons gained or lost by that element in a particular chemical composition. So, oxidation number is the charge possessed by the element. All substance will have neutral charge in their elemental state. Thus, the oxidation number of a substance in its elemental state will be zero.

The oxidation number of the metal centre can be found using the following guidelines:

• The charge of the counter ion has to be found.
• From that the net charge of the complex ion has to be determined.
• The charge of the ligands has to be known.
• The charge of the metal ion can be assumed as $\text{'x'}$.
• The sum of the charges inside the coordination sphere has to be equated with the net charge of the complex ion so as to determine the value of $\text{'x'}$ which is the oxidation number of the central metal atom.