Question

What is the oxidation number of bromine in sequence in ${\mathrm{Br}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_8$?

Answer 1

Oxidation number:

• It represents the number of electrons lost or gained by the atoms of an element in a compound.
• It is usually written with the sign $(+)$ and $(-)$ first and then the magnitude.

Structure of ${\mathbf{Br}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{8}}$:

• The structure of ${\mathrm{Br}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_8$ is shown below in the image.

• In this structure, three bromine atoms form a bridge-like structure.
• There are two terminal bromine atoms and one central bromine atom.

Determine the oxidation number of all bromine atoms:

• The oxidation state of both the terminal bromine atoms will be:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{x}+3(-2)=0 \\ \mathrm{x}–6=0 \\ \mathrm{x}=+6 \end{gathered}$$

• The oxidation state of the central bromine atom will be:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{x}+2(-2)=0 \\ \mathrm{x}–4=0 \\ \mathrm{x}=+4 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of bromine in sequence in ${\mathbf{Br}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{8}}$ is $\mathbf{+}\mathbf{6}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{4}$ and $\mathbf{+}\mathbf{6}$.