Question

What is the oxidation number of carbon in carbon suboxide $\left(C_3{O}_2\right)$?

Answer 1

Let the oxidation number of carbon be $x$

$\stackrel{-2}{O}=\stackrel{+2}{\underset{\left(1\right)}{C}}=\stackrel{0}{\underset{\left(2\right)}{C}}=\stackrel{+2}{\underset{\left(3\right)}{C}}=\stackrel{-2}{O}$

$\therefore 3x+2(-2)=0$

$\therefore 3x-4=0$

$\therefore x=\frac{+4}{3}$

Therefore average oxidation number of carbon in $C_3{O}_2$ is $+4/3$

and oxidation number of $C_1=+2$

$C_2=0$

$C_3=+2$