Practice Problem 5

Determine whether the following transformations involve the oxidation or the reduction of the carbon atom.

Solution

Each of these transformations involves the oxidation of the carbon atom. The first reaction involves oxidation of the carbon atom from the -2 to the 0 oxidation state. In the second reaction, the carbon atom is oxidized to the +2 state, and the third reaction involves oxidation of the carbon atom to the +4 oxidation state.

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