Oxidation number of pf3
3
3 is the oxidation state of phosphorus in PF3.
I assume you mean PF3. P is -1 each for a total of -3 which makes P +3.
Correct @DrBob222, that is exactly what I meant.
oops. But I made a typo. I wrote this:
I assume you mean PF3. P is -1 each for a total of -3 which makes P +3. That isn't correct. I should have written:
F is -1 each for a total of -3 which makes P +3.
Yes.
To determine the oxidation number of PF3 (phosphorus trifluoride), you need to consider the electronegativity of each element and any known rules or guidelines for assigning oxidation numbers.
1. Start by identifying the electronegativity of each element:
- Phosphorus (P) has an electronegativity of around 2.19.
- Fluorine (F) has an electronegativity of around 3.98.
2. Assign the oxidation number for fluorine (F):
- Fluorine is highly electronegative and tends to have an oxidation number of -1 in compounds.
3. Determine the oxidation number of phosphorus (P):
- Let's assume that there are three fluorine atoms bonded to the phosphorus atom in PF3.
- Since fluorine has an oxidation number of -1 and there are three fluorine atoms, the total oxidation number contributed by the fluorine atoms is -3 (-1 x 3 = -3).
- The overall charge of the PF3 molecule is neutral because there are no other elements involved.
- Therefore, the sum of the oxidation numbers should be zero.
- To find the oxidation number of phosphorus, subtract the total oxidation number of fluorine (-3) from zero: 0 - (-3) = +3.
- Hence, the oxidation number of phosphorus in PF3 is +3.
Therefore, the oxidation number of phosphorus in PF3 is +3.