Question

The sum of the oxidation number of the carbon atoms in $C{H}_{3}CHO$ is:

• A. $-2$
• B. $+2$
• C. $-4$
• D. $-1$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $-2$

Let $x$ be the sum of the oxidation states of carbon atoms in acetaldehyde $\left(C{H}_{3}CHO\right)$.

The oxidation numbers of hydrogen and oxygen are $+1$ and $-2$ respectively.

Let, $x$ be the sum of the oxidation state of C.

For a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the molecules is zero.

Hence, $x+4\times (+1)+(-2)=0$ or, $x=-2$.

Hence, the correct option is $A$