Oxidation States

Pure elements have an oxidation number of Zero

It doesn't matter how many atoms there are

In a Binary Molecular Compound

-the more electronegative element gets the charge it would have as an anion

i.e Flourine would have an oxidation number of 1-

The less electronegative gets the charge it would have as a cation

Flourine always has and oxidation Number of -1 in its compounds

Oxygen has an oxidation number of -2

Exception 1: Peroxide formations, H₂O₂- here it is -1

Exception 2: it is bonded with flourine

Hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 in all compounds containing elements that are more electronegatice

It has a -1 with all metals

Sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound must equal zero

Sum of Oxidation Numbers in a polyatomic ion is equal to its charge

In a monatomic ion, the oxidation number is equal to the charge it would have as an ion.