Question

The sum of the oxidation numbers of all the carbon in
C6 H5 CHO is ??

Answer 1

Using the formula calculate the oxidation state of a single atom of carbon: 6x + 5 + x + 1 + (-2) =0 x=-4/7 Since the question asks for the “sum” of oxidation states of all C atoms (which are 7 in no.): Answer will be (-4/7)*7 That is -4.