What is the charge of O2?

If O has a charge of 2- then does O2 have a charge of 4-?

1 Answer
Jan 16, 2018

Dioxygen gas, #O_2#, the stuff we are breathing now...is NEUTRAL.....

Explanation:

Oxygen can form oxides upon REDUCTION....

#1/2O_2(g) + 2e^(-) rarr O^(2-)#...and since oxygen is a powerful oxidant this reaction is facile. On the other hand, we could form peroxides....i.e. salts of #O_2^(2-)#....where each oxygen atom is associated with 9 electrons rather than 8...

#O_2(g) +2e^(-) rarr ""^(-)O-O^(-)#, i.e. #""^(-)O-O^(-)-=O_2^(2-)#