Electronegativity and Oxidation Number
(a) The more electronegative atom in a bond is assigned
all of the shared electrons; the less electronegative atom is
assigned none of the shared electrons.
(b) Each atom in a bond is assigned all of its unshared
electrons.
(c) The oxidation number is given by:
O.N. = # valence e- - (# shared e- + # unshared e-)
e.g.: HCl: Cl more electronegative than H; has 7 valence
electrons; has an O.N. of 7 - 8 = -1
H has 1 valence electron; has an O.N. of 1 - 0 = +1
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