What is the oxidation number of MnO2?

1 Answer
Meave60
Oct 24, 2015

The oxidation number of "MnO"_2" is 0.

Explanation:

The sum of the oxidation numbers of the elements In a neutral compound is 0.

The oxidation number of the oxide anion is "-2". Since there are 2 oxide ions, the total oxidation number for the oxide is "-4". Since the sum of the oxidation numbers must be 0, the oxidation number of the manganese cation is "+4". Therefore, "MnO"_2" is the ionic compound manganese(IV) oxide.

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