What is chlorine oxidation number?

Answer 1

It depends on the compound its in. (the range for its oxidation number ranges from -1 to +7 [odd numbers in between are its oxidation numbers exp: -1, +1, +3, +5, +7])

For example if its cl- (only a chlorine ion) then its oxidation number is -1 (simmilar to its valency).

If its in the compound NaCl,

We know that its total oxidation is 0. (all compunds have an oxidation number of zero)

Na has an oxidation number +1.

Therefore +1 + x = 0 -> through this you can find the oxidation number of chlorine in this compund. (x representing the oxidation number of chlorine). In this case the answer is x=-1.

In the compound HClO4 (perchloric acid), the oxidation number of the total compund is equal to 0.

Oxygen has an oxidation number of -2, and hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1.

Therefore, (+1) + x + (-2*4) = 0 (oxygen in this compund has 4 atoms so -2 multiplied by 4)

Thus:

+1 + x + (-8) = 0

+1 + x = 8

x= 8 -1

x= +7

So we can see here that the oxidation number of chlorine has become +7.

Do the same for any compound that chlorine is involed in.

Hope it helps.