Question

What is the oxidation no. Of Mn in MnCl2?

Answer 1

In `MnCl_2`, the oxidation state of `Mn` would be `+2`.

Explanation:

I would list every rule of assigning oxidation numbers here by myself, but I don't have much time (;-P).

See them here :- Rules of Assigning Oxidation Numbers

Now, on with our answer.

First of All, In `MnCl_2`, `Cl^-` has a charge of `-1`.

So, We will assign `-1` state to `Cl`.

And, In every molecule, the oxidation numbers of all atoms add up to `0`.

So, If we assume the oxidation number of `Mn` be `x`.

So, According to the rules and the question,

`x + 2 * (-1) = 0 rArr x -2 = 0 rArr x = 2`

So, `Mn` has a oxidation number `+2` here.

[NEVER, NEVER forget to assign the SIGNS. OXIDATION NUMBER denotes state, it isn't just a number.]

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

`+2`

Explanation:

Manganese chloride has a chemical formula of `MnCl_2`. It is a neutral compound, meaning that the sum of all oxidation states of the compounds is `0`.

In this case, it is an ionic compound, as there is a metal (manganese) and a non-metal (chlorine) bonded together. And so, chlorine is the anion, and will have a charge of `-1`. There are two chlorine atoms, and the total oxidation number will be `-1*2=-2`.

Let `x` be the oxidation number of manganese. We got:

`x+(-2)=0`

`x-2=0`

`x=2`

Therefore, manganese's `(Mn)` oxidation state is `2` or `+2`, as we say in chemistry.