Question

Question:Write the Lewis Structure for O₂F₂ ( O₂F₂ exists as F-O-O-F). Assign oxidation states and formal charges to the atoms in O₂F₂ . This compound is a vigorous and potent oxidizing and fluorinating agent. Are oxidation states or formal charges more useful in accounting for these properties of O₂F₂ ?

Short answer

Answer

Structure of O₂F₂ -

Formal charges: 0 0 0 0

Oxidation number: -1 +1 +1 -1

Step-by-step solution

Definition of formal charge:

Formal charge = (number of valence electrons on a free atom) - (number of valence electrons assigned to the atom in the molecule).

The concept of formal charge requires that we compare-

1. the number of valence electrons present on the free neutral atom having a charge of zero as the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons, and

2. the number of valence electrons that belong to a given atom in a molecule.

Definition of oxidation state:

The oxidation state is an atom's potential charge when all of its links to other atoms were entirely ionic. It describes the degree to which an atom in a chemical molecule has been oxidised. The oxidation state might be positive, negative, or zero.