Question

Explain what is strange about the oxidation state of carbon in dichloropropane. Hint: compare with the oxidation state of C in CH4.

Check my work: so dichloropropane would be C3H6Cl2. The oxidation state of carbon in dichloropropane would be -4/3, whereas oxidation state of carbon in CH4 would be -4.

So what is strange about it? What makes the oxidation state of carbon different than carbon? Can you explain this to me briefly?

Thank you.

Answer 1

The strange part is that it's a fraction. Most oxidation states are whole numbers. Also, most C compounds are + or - 4 usually.