Question
Determine the oxidation number of: (i) Si in SiH4 (ii) B in BH3 (iii) B in BF3.
Solution
(i) Let the oxidation number of Si = x
Writing the oxidation number of each atom at the op of its symbol,
x -1
Si H4
The algebraic sum of oxidation number of various atoms = 0
x + 4 (-1) = 0
x = 4
(ii) Let the oxidation number of B =x
Writing the oxidation number of each atom at the top of its symbol
x -1
B H3
The algebraic sum of the oxidation number of various atoms = 0
x + 3(-1) = 0
x = 3
(iii) Let the oxidation number of B = x
Writing the oxidation number of each atom at the top of its symbol,
x -1
B F3
The algebraic sum of the oxidation number of various atoms = 0
x + 3 (-1) = 0
x = 3
