Question

The oxidation number of C in $C{H}_{2}O$ is
(IIT-JEE, 1983)

• A. -2
• B. 2
• C. 4

Answer 1

Oxidation number of oxygen is -2, hydrogen is +1 since there is no metal bond with the hydrogen. If $x$ is the oxidation number of $C$, then:
$C{H}_{2}O:x+2-2=0\Rightarrow x=0$