What is the oxidation number of MnO2?

1 Answer
Meave60
Oct 24, 2015

The oxidation number of #"MnO"_2"# is #0#.

Explanation:

The sum of the oxidation numbers of the elements In a neutral compound is #0#.

The oxidation number of the oxide anion is #"-2"#. Since there are 2 oxide ions, the total oxidation number for the oxide is #"-4"#. Since the sum of the oxidation numbers must be #0#, the oxidation number of the manganese cation is #"+4"#. Therefore, #"MnO"_2"# is the ionic compound manganese(IV) oxide.

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