Given the neutral oxide, #Mn_3O_4#...what are the probable oxidation states of the manganese centres given that the metal expresses ONLY two oxidation states in this species?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 5, 2018

The sum of the oxidation numbers equals the charge on the ion...

Explanation:

Of course, here, the parent species is NEUTRAL, and therefore the sum of the oxidation numbers EQUALS ZERO.

The oxidation number of oxygen, as oxide, is typically #-II#...and so #3xxMn_"oxidation number"-8=0#...#Mn_"average oxidation number"=+8/3#...and so we gots #2xxMn^(+III)+Mn^(+II)#...

The solid state structure does correspond to a formulation of #MnO*Mn_2O_3#...the which does reflect the oxidation states we assigned. Capisce?

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