Question

A mole of ${\mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4$ loses 10 mol of electrons to form a new compound A. Assuming that all the nitrogen appears in the new compound, What is the Oxidation State of Nitrogen in A?

Answer 1

Step 1: Oxidation state:

• "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."

Step 2: Calculation of oxidation state:

• The oxidation state of $\mathrm{N}$ in Hydrazine $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$is shown below:

$$\begin{gathered} 2\mathrm{x}+4=0 \\ 2\mathrm{x}=-4 \\ \mathrm{x}=-2 \end{gathered}$$.

• If one mole of hydrazine contains two moles of nitrogen and loses 10 moles of electrons, one nitrogen atom loses five electrons.
• Hence, its oxidation number will increase by $5$. Therefore, the oxidation state of $\mathrm{N}$ in compound A will be:

$\mathrm{Oxidation}\mathrm{state}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{N}=(-2)+\left(5\right)=+3$

Thus, the oxidation state of Nitrogen in compound A $+3$.