Question

arrange the following compounds with respect to increasing order of oxidation no. of carbon 1). ch4, 2). ch3oh 3). hcho 4). hcooh

Answer 1

Oxidation number of C (y) in :

1. CH_{4 =} y + (1x4) = 0 or y = -4
2. CH₃OH= y + (3x1) + (-2) + 1 = 0 or y = -2
3. HCHO= 1 + y + 1 + (-2) = 0 or y = 0
4. HCOOH= 1 + y + (-2) + (-2) + 1= 0 or y = 2

Therefore, the increasing order of oxidation no. of C is:

CH₄<CH₃OH<HCHO<HCOOH