Question

What are the oxidation states of the transition metals in the following series of compounds?${\mathbf{Nb}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{5}}$ ,${\mathbf{MoS}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ ,${\mathbf{RuCl}}_{\mathbf{3}}$ ,${\mathbf{RhO}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ ,${\mathbf{PdF}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ , and ${\mathbf{Ag}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{O}$.

Short answer

The oxidation state of the transition metal Nb in Nb₂O₅ is +5.

The oxidation state of the transition metal, Mo in MoS₂ is +4.

The oxidation state of the transition metal, Ru in RuCl₃ is +3.

The oxidation state of the transition metal, Rh in RhO₂ is +4.

The oxidation state of the transition metal, Pd in PdF₂ is +2.

The oxidation state of the transition metal, Ag in Ag₂O is +1.

Step-by-step solution

Oxidation state

Thecount of electrons lost or gained by an atom can be understood using the termoxidation state. The atoms possess a positive oxidation state if the atom loses electrons. The atoms possess a negative oxidation state if the atom receives electrons.

The oxidation state of the transition metals in the following series of compounds

The transition metal in the compound is Nb. The oxidation state of Nb in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}2x+5\times -2& =& 0\\ 2x& =& 10\\ x& =& \frac{10}{2}\\ & =& 5\end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal Nb in Nb₂O₅ is +5.

The transition metal in the compound is Mo. The oxidation state of Mo in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}x+2\times -2& =& 0\\ x-4& =& 0\\ x& =& 4\end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal, Mo in MoS₂ is +4.

The transition metal in the compound is Ru. The oxidation state of Ru in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}x+3\times -1& =& 0\\ x-3& =& 0\\ x& =& 3\end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal, Ru in RuCl₃is +3.

The transition metal in the compound is Rh. The oxidation state of Rh in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}x+2\times -2& =& 0\\ x-4& =& 0\\ x& =& 4\\ & & \end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal, Rh in RhO₂ is +4.

The transition metal in the compound is Pd. The oxidation state of Pd in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}x+2\times -1& =& 0\\ x-2& =& 0\\ x& =& 2\\ & & \end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal, Pd in PdF₂ is +2.

The transition metal in the compound is Ag. The oxidation state of Ag in can be found as:

$\begin{array}{rcl}2x-2& =& 0\\ 2x& =& 2\\ x& =& 1\end{array}$

Hence, the oxidation state of the transition metal, Ag in Ag₂Ois +1.