Question

What is the oxidation state of $\mathrm{Mn}$ in ${\mathrm{Mn}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$?

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 Manganese(Mn) in ${\mathrm{Mn}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$:

The oxidation state of Oxygen(O) = -2

Consider the oxidation state of Manganese(Mn) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} \left(x\times 2\right)+\left(-2\times 3\right)=0 \\ 2x-6=0 \\ x=+3 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of $\mathrm{Mn}$ in ${\mathrm{Mn}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ is $+3$.