What is the oxidation state of #"Pb"# in #"PbO"_2# ?

1 Answer
The A. · Stefan V.
Mar 16, 2018

It is #+4#.

Explanation:

In #"PbO"_2#, oxygen exhibits an oxidation number of #-2# (since it's not a peroxide or superoxide):

Let the oxidation number of #"Pb"# be #x#. Then, for the compound to be neutral, the oxidation numbers of all atoms should add up to zero.

#=>x +(-2) +(-2) = 0#

#x=+4 #

So the oxidation no. of #"Pb"# is #+4#.

Hope it helps!

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