Question

What are the oxidation states of carbon in cyanide and isocyanide?

Answer 1

It is the same

Explanation:

The oxidation state of carbon in `HCN` `HNC` is the same i.e +4

Answer 2

In `"H"-"C"-="N"`, we have oxidation states corresponding to

`stackrel(color(blue)(+1))("H"^(+))`

and

`[:stackrel(color(blue)(+2))("C")-=stackrel(color(blue)(-3))("N"):]^(-)`.

In `"H"-"N"-="C"`, we have oxidation states corresponding to

`stackrel(color(blue)(+1))("H"^(+))`

and

`[: stackrel(color(blue)(-3))("N")-=stackrel(color(blue)(+2))("C"):]^(-)`.

Either way, we assume full electron transfer to the more electronegative atom, and thus bonding direction doesn't matter.