Question

Define oxidation number of central metal atom with example.

Hint:

The oxidation number is determined by the charges on the ligands and the overall charge of the coordination complex.

Answer 1

Step 1: Define oxidation number.
The oxidation number (or oxidation state) of an atom in a molecule or ion represents the number of electrons that the atom can donate or accept when forming a bond. In coordination compounds, the oxidation number of the central metal atom is determined by considering the charges of the ligands and the overall charge of the complex.

Step 2: Example.
In the complex \( [Fe(CN)_6]^{4-} \), the cyanide \(CN^-\) ligand has a charge of -1. Since there are six cyanide ions, the total charge contributed by the ligands is -6. For the overall complex to have a charge of -4, the oxidation state of iron (Fe) must be +2. Thus, the oxidation number of the central metal atom (Fe) is +2.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The oxidation number of the central metal atom is the charge it has in a given complex.