Question

What is the oxidation number of carbon in carbon suboxide $\left[{\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2\right]$?

• A. $2$
• B. $2/3$
• C. $4/3$
• D. $10/3$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$4/3$

Explanation:

Oxidation number:

• Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element."
• If two or more than two atoms of an element are present in the molecule/ion such as ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{S}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ , the oxidation number of the atom of that element will then be the average of the oxidation number of all the atoms of that element.

Calculating the oxidation number of Carbon(C) in Carbon suboxide$\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$:

The oxidation state of Oxygen(O) = -2

Consider the oxidation state of Carbon(C) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} \left(x\times 3\right)+\left(-2\times 2\right)=0 \\ 3x-4=0 \\ x=\frac{4}{3} \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of Carbon in Carbon suboxide is $+\frac{4}{3}$.

Hence, the correct option is (C).