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.

Are you happy with this?

Related questions
See all questions in Octet Rule
Impact of this question
2052 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License