How do you assign the oxidation number to #HCl#?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 24, 2016

For a neutral molecule, the sum of the individual oxidation numbers must sum to ZERO.

Explanation:

Hydrogen has a #+I# oxidation number, and chlorine a #-I# oxidation number in the neutral gas #HCl#.

Perchloric acid, #HClO_4#, contains oxygen atoms that have a #-II# oxidation number. What is the oxidation number of chlorine here?

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