Question

What is the oxidation number of carbon in Carbon monoxide?

Answer 1

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.

Calculating the oxidation number of Carbon(C) in Carbon monoxide$\left(\mathrm{CO}\right)$:

The oxidation state of Oxygen(O) = -2

Consider the oxidation state of Carbon(C) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{x}-2=0 \\ \mathrm{x}=+2 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of Carbon in carbon monoxide is $+2$.