For the real molecule #OF_2#, what is the formal oxidation state of the oxygen atom?

#"A. Oxygen has a +II oxidation state."#
#"B. Oxygen has a -II oxidation state."#
#"C. Oxygen has a -I oxidation state."#
#"D. The oxidation state of oxygen is indeterminate."#

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 1, 2017

#"Option A"#

Explanation:

When we assign oxidation states, the more electronegative is assigned the electron. When we do this for #OF_2#, we get #O^(2+)+2xxF^(-)#....fluorine is MORE electronegative than any other atom on the Table and is thus formally #F^(-)#, i.e. #F(-I)#...

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