Question

How to calculate oxidation number of carbon in oxalic acid

Answer 1

Answer:

The sum of the individual oxidation numbers is equal to the charge on the ion, or, in a neutral molecule, equal to ZERO to reflect the neutrality. In oxalic acid, we gots H(+I) , O(−II) .....to give C(+III) . Here, carbon is almost fully oxidized. In carbon dioxide we gots C(+IV) .