Question

What is the oxidation number of Fe in $Fe(CO)_5$?

• A. 3
• B. zero
• C. 2
• D. 5

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

zero

Answer 2

Let the oxidation state of Fe in $Fe(CO)_5 is \,x.$ $\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, Fe(CO)_5$ $\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, x+0\times5=0$ $\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, x=0$ In metal carbonyls, oxidation state of metal is always zero.