Question

Question #422af

Answer 1

The average oxidation number of carbon is `+4/3`.....

Explanation:

Of course, this is a bit of a simplification.

For `O=""^(+II)C=C^(0)=C^(+II)=O`, the internal carbon, has a FORMAL oxidation number of `C^(0)`, the terminal carbons are `C^(+II)` (and hence the average value quoted). Element-element bonds are presumed to share electrons rather than exchange them when we assign oxidation states.

Also see [this answer.](https://socratic.org/questions/how-to-determine-weather-carbon-will-have-oxidation-number-3-4-4-or-2-or-any-oth#300646)