Chapter 18, Problem 18.8YT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It is to be verified that the reaction in Equation 18-27 is a reduction by computing the oxidation state of the carbonyl C atom in the reactant and the corresponding C atom in the product.

Concept introduction:

A species that gains one or more electrons undergoes reduction and becomes reduced. To calculate oxidation state of an atom, in a covalent bond, all the electrons are assigned to the more electronegative atom. If the atoms are the same, divide the electrons equally. Compare the atom’s assigned valence electrons to the atom’s group number. Each excess electron contributes $\text{-1}$ to the atom’s oxidation state. Each electron the atom is lacking contributes $\text{+1}$ to the oxidation state.