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.

Answers

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

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