what is the oxidation state of Carbon in CHCl3? EN values: H = 2.1 C = 2.5 Cl = 3.0
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the oxidation state of carbon in CHCl₃ (chloroform), we will use the general rules of oxidation states, along with the provided electronegativity values.
Step-by-step process:
- Oxidation state of hydrogen (H):
Hydrogen generally has an oxidation state of +1 when it is bonded to nonmetals. In CHCl₃, hydrogen follows this rule, so the oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. - Oxidation state of chlorine (Cl):
Chlorine, being more electronegative than carbon, generally has an oxidation state of -1 in most of its compounds, except when bonded with oxygen or fluorine. Since Cl is bonded to carbon here, its oxidation state is -1. - Sum of oxidation states:
In a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation states of all atoms must equal zero. Therefore, we can set up the equation: Oxidation state of C+3(Oxidation state of Cl)+(Oxidation state of H)=0\text{Oxidation state of C} + 3(\text{Oxidation state of Cl}) + (\text{Oxidation state of H}) = 0Oxidation state of C+3(Oxidation state of Cl)+(Oxidation state of H)=0 Substituting known values: Oxidation state of C+3(−1)+(+1)=0\text{Oxidation state of C} + 3(-1) + (+1) = 0Oxidation state of C+3(−1)+(+1)=0 - Solve for the oxidation state of C: Oxidation state of C−3+1=0\text{Oxidation state of C} – 3 + 1 = 0Oxidation state of C−3+1=0 Oxidation state of C−2=0\text{Oxidation state of C} – 2 = 0Oxidation state of C−2=0 Oxidation state of C=+2\text{Oxidation state of C} = +2Oxidation state of C=+2
Conclusion:
The oxidation state of carbon in CHCl₃ is +2.
Explanation:
The oxidation state of carbon is calculated by considering the contributions from each atom in the molecule. Hydrogen contributes +1, and each chlorine contributes -1. The sum of the oxidation states must balance out to zero since CHCl₃ is a neutral molecule. Thus, the oxidation state of carbon must be +2 to ensure that the overall charge sums to zero. This shows how the oxidation state reflects the electron distribution in the molecule, influenced by the electronegativity differences between the atoms involved.
