Balancing Redox Reactions w/ Cyanide: Assigning Oxidation States

[gradeaswimr]

i have to balance a redox reaction that contains the cyanide ion and other stuff. but before i can do anything, i have to assign oxidation states. would hte CN- have oxidation states of C being +4 and N being -5? so then would CNO- have C be +4, N be -2, and O be -2?

 

[Borek]

When in doubt about ON you can try to balance equation using half-reaction method.