Question

How can you find oxidation numbers in complex compounds?

Answer 1

Do you mean oxidation numbers in coordination complexes, e.g. `[Fe(C-=N)_6]^(3-)`, `CoCl_6^(3-)`, `Cr(CO)_6`?

Explanation:

You have the starting complex, and its charge. Remove the ligands, with their associated charge, and examine the residual charge on the metal centre, which will be the oxidation state.

`[Fe(C-=N)_6]^(3-)rarr6xxN-=C^(-) + Fe^(3+), " ferric ion"`

`[CoCl_6]^(3-)rarr6xxCl^(-) + Co^(3+), " Co(III)"`.

`[Cr(CO)_6]rarr6xxC-=O + Cr " Cr(0)"`.

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