How do you assign the oxidation number to HCl?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 24, 2016

For a neutral molecule, the sum of the individual oxidation numbers must sum to ZERO.

Explanation:

Hydrogen has a +I oxidation number, and chlorine a −I oxidation number in the neutral gas HCl.

Perchloric acid, HClO4, contains oxygen atoms that have a −II oxidation number. What is the oxidation number of chlorine here?

Related questions
See all questions in Oxidation Numbers
Impact of this question
3877 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License