Question

Oxygen has an oxidation state of $+2$ in ?

• A. ${\mathrm{F}}_2\mathrm{O}$
• B. ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2\mathrm{O}$
• C. ${\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}2$
• D. $\mathrm{Na}2\mathrm{O}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

${\mathrm{F}}_2\mathrm{O}$

Explanation for the correct option :

Option (A):${\mathrm{F}}_2\mathrm{O}$

• Oxygen is generally known as a highly electronegative element next to Fluorine, therefore carrying a -ve oxidation state.
• But in the case of ${\mathrm{F}}_2\mathrm{O}$ , Fluorine being the most electronegative has an oxidation state of $-1$and, therefore, oxidation of Oxygen will be $+2.$

Explanation for the incorrect option :

Option (B):${\mathrm{Cl}}_2\mathrm{O}$

• In ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2\mathrm{O}$, Chlorine as the less electronegative element than Oxygen is known to have an oxidation state of $+1$ and oxygen is $-2.$
• Hence, the given option is the incorrect one.

Option (C):${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$

• In ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$,Sodium is known as the electropositive element having an oxidation state of $+1$ only and hence Oxygen will have the oxidation state as $-1$.
• Thus, the given option does not correspond to the correct concept.

Option (D):${\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}$

• In ${\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}$ , the oxidation state of Oxygen is $-1$, as Sodium is the electropositive element which known to have an oxidation state of $+1$.
• Thus, the given option does not coincide with the correct concept.

Hence, Oxygen has an oxidation state of $+2$ in ${\mathrm{F}}_2\mathrm{O}$.