Question
Chemistry Question on Redox reactions
What is the oxidation number of nitrogen?
Answer
The oxidation number of nitrogen can vary depending on the compound or context in which it is found. Nitrogen typically exhibits oxidation numbers ranging from -3 to +5.
In most organic compounds, nitrogen has an oxidation number of -3, such as in ammonia (NH3) or amines (R3N), where the nitrogen atom has three bonds to other atoms and no formal charge.
In compounds like nitric acid (HNO3) or nitrates (NO3-), nitrogen has an oxidation number of +5.
However, it's important to note that there are exceptions and other oxidation states for nitrogen are possible in certain compounds or coordination complexes.