Question

What is the oxidation state of $\mathrm{K}$ in ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$?

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 Potassium(K) in ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$:

In the case of superoxide, the oxidation state of Oxygen(O) $=\frac{-1}{2}$

Consider the oxidation state of Potassium(K) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} x+\left(-\frac{1}{2}\times 2\right)=0 \\ x=+1 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of $\mathrm{K}$ in ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$ is $+1$.