Question #50104

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 4, 2017

Would you re-specify your problem?

Explanation:

Are you talking about nitrogen in #N_2O_5# or #NO_3^-#. The #"formal oxidation number"# of nitrogen in each species is #+V#. And thus 5 electrons are conceived to be donated BY the nitrogen atom. To where? Well, to the oxygen atoms, which are presumed to be reduced. The key word is #"conceived"#, and our idea of #"oxidation number"# and #"electron transfer"# are convenient fictions, that are useful in some scenarios, but does not really have a tangible reality.

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