The oxidation state of copper in Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂is _ .

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In CO, the oxidation state of oxygen is -2 (since it is a stable diatomic molecule and carbon has electronegativity 2.5 and oxygen has electronegativity 3.5, so carbon has an oxidation state of +2). In OH-, the oxidation state of oxygen is -2 and hydrogen is +1. 
Let x be the oxidation state of copper in the molecule. Then:
x + (-2) + 2(-1) + x + (-2) + 4(-1) + 1 + x + (-2) + 2(-1) + 0 = 0
Simplifying this expression, we have:
4x - 16 = 0
4x = 16
x = 4
Therefore, the oxidation state of copper in the molecule is +4.

The Oxidation State of Copper in Cu2CO3(OH)2 is _

The Oxidation State of Copper in Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂is _