What is the oxidation number of N in NCl3?

Oct 31, 2015

It is + 3

Explanation:

Step by step;

1. 1) Evaluate the oxidation number for other elements/element; In
this case $C l$

$C {l}^{-}$ The charge on its ion is -1 $\implies$ that oxidation no. is -1

2) Set up an equation;

We find that the total charge on the compound is 0 ie. it is neutral
So use this formula;

$\left({n}_{a}\right) \left({c}_{a}\right) + \left({n}_{b}\right) \left({c}_{b}\right) =$ Total charge on the compound

Where c represents charge or oxidation number .n represents the number of atoms of that species present in the given compound

Disclaimer ; Charge and oxidation number are not exactly one another.But for sake of simplicity using them as one another

3) solve the equation

$1 \left(c\right) + 3 \left(- 1\right) = 0$
$1 \left(c\right) - 3 = 0$
$1 \left(c\right) = 3$
$\implies \left(c\right) = 3$

$\therefore$ the oxidation number of N is +3..

Oct 31, 2015

The oxidation number of N in the compound $\text{NCl"_3}$ is +3.

Explanation:

$\text{NCl"_3}$

The sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound must equal zero.

The oxidation number of group 17/VIIA elements is usually $- 1$. Since there are three chlorine atoms in the compound, the total oxidation number for chlorine is $- 3$. Since the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal $0$, the oxidation number of nitrogen in the compound is $+ 3$.

$1 \left(+ 3\right) + 3 \left(- 1\right) =$

$\left(+ 3\right) + \left(- 3\right) = 0$