MHB Oxidation Numbers: Fe203+3CO to 2Fe+3CO2

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In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, iron (Fe) is reduced as it gains electrons, while carbon (C) is oxidized as it loses electrons. The oxidation states are clarified by expressing the ions: Fe3+ and O2- for iron oxide, and C2+ and O2- for carbon monoxide. It is noted that while valency can guide the determination of oxidation numbers, it is not always accurate, as seen with carbon's valency of 4 compared to its oxidation state of +2 in this reaction. Oxygen consistently has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds, and the oxidation number of a compound must equal zero. Understanding these principles is essential for accurately identifying oxidation and reduction in chemical reactions.
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By using oxidation numbers can someone show me what is oxidised and reduced

Fe203+3co->2Fe+3co2
 
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markosheehan said:
By using oxidation numbers can someone show me what is oxidised and reduced

Fe203+3co->2Fe+3co2

Hi Marko,

Making the ion forms explicit, we have:
$$
{Fe^{3+}}_2{0^{2-}}_3+3C^{2+}O^{2-}\to 2Fe+3C^{4+}{O^{2-}}_2
$$
So $Fe$ gains electrons and as such it is reduced.
And $C$ loses electrons, meaning it is oxidized.
 
I like Serena said:
Hi Marko,

Making the ion forms explicit, we have:
$$
{Fe^{3+}}_2{0^{2-}}_3+3C^{2+}O^{2-}\to 2Fe+3C^{4+}{O^{2-}}_2
$$
So $Fe$ gains electrons and as such it is reduced.
And $C$ loses electrons, meaning it is oxidized.

thanks
I usually go to the periodic table and look at the elements valency and then i take this as the oxidation number. this is not always correct though?
for example carbon has a valency of 4 but in the above equation it is 2+.
so you go off the ones you know like oxygen is always -2 and the oxidation number of a compound must always equal zero.
 
markosheehan said:
thanks
I usually go to the periodic table and look at the elements valency and then i take this as the oxidation number. this is not always correct though?
for example carbon has a valency of 4 but in the above equation it is 2+.
so you go off the ones you know like oxygen is always -2 and the oxidation number of a compound must always equal zero.

Yes, in compounds oxygen is always -2.
The metals (that are oxidized) usually have more than one oxidation number, and the valency doesn't even have to be one of them (copper for example).
 

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