Welcome Guest Search | Active Topics |

Tag as favorite
Formal charge
Options
Previous Topic Next Topic
Natasha_4902
#1 Posted : Tuesday, August 04, 2020 3:41:29 AM
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/8/2020
Posts: 62

Thanks: 0 times
Was thanked: 0 time(s) in 0 post(s)
Hi,

For radicals is the formal charge equation the same? In an altius practice exam it said that for the hydroxyl radical, the formal charge on the oxygen was -1 and on the hydrogen was +1. I am wondering how they got those numbers.

Thank you
Back to top
Report?
INSTR_Katerina_102
#2 Posted : Tuesday, August 04, 2020 9:56:13 PM
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/24/2019
Posts: 250

Thanks: 0 times
Was thanked: 0 time(s) in 0 post(s)
Hi Natasha,

Could you let me know the question so I can check? The formal charge rules should be consistent regardless of whether a molecule is a radical or not.

Thanks!

Katt
Back to top
Report?
Natasha_4902
#3 Posted : Wednesday, August 05, 2020 2:40:23 AM
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/8/2020
Posts: 62

Thanks: 0 times
Was thanked: 0 time(s) in 0 post(s)
Hi,

The question is question #8 of the Altius full length 8 exam.

Thank you
Back to top
Report?
INSTR_Katerina_102
#4 Posted : Wednesday, August 05, 2020 8:26:10 PM
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/24/2019
Posts: 250

Thanks: 0 times
Was thanked: 0 time(s) in 0 post(s)
Hi Natasha,

The formal charge of both the atoms in the hydroxyl radical is zero.

However, this question is asking for the oxidation number, which does not necessarily equal the formal charge of each atom (but they should add up to the total charge of the molecule).

To calculate oxidation number, you imagine breaking a bond between two atoms, and having the electrons go to the more electronegative atom, in this case the oxygen.

From this point, the charge on the atoms is the oxidation number. For this case, because the O has 7 e- after splitting in this way, its oxidation number is -1. As the H has 0 electrons, its oxidation number is +1.

I have attached a diagram of this process.

https://alumniubcca-my.s...keEPxvtrmAMRqZg?e=0aOrAj

Please let me know if you need more clarification.

Katt
Back to top
Report?
Users browsing this topic
Guest (3)
Tag as favorite
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Clean Slate theme by Jaben Cargman (Tiny Gecko)
Powered by YAF | YAF © 2003-2009, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.084 seconds.