Question

The oxidation state of oxygen in Hydrogen peroxide is

• A. -2
• B. +2
• C. +1
• D. -1

Answer 1

The correct option is D

-1

The oxidation number of oxygen is -2 in most of its compounds , except in peroxides like $H_2{O}_2,Ba{O}_2$ etc. where it is -1

1.Another interesting exception is found in the compound $O{F}_2$ (oxygen difluoride) where the oxidation number of oxygen is +2

2.This is due to the fact that fluorine being the most electronegative element known has always an oxidation number of -1.