Oxidation state of iron in (Fe(H2O)5NO)SO4

In order to determine the oxidation state of iron in the complex ion (Fe(H2O)5NO)2+, we need to consider the oxidation states of the other elements present in the compound.

Oxidation states of the other elements:
1. Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen is typically assigned an oxidation state of +1 when bonded to nonmetals and -1 when bonded to metals. In this case, hydrogen is bonded to oxygen, so its oxidation state is +1.

2. Oxygen (O): Oxygen is usually assigned an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds, except in peroxides where it is -1 and in compounds with fluorine where it is positive.

3. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is assigned an oxidation state of +2 in the nitrosyl group (NO+), where it is bonded to a metal.

4. Sulfur (S): Sulfur is commonly assigned an oxidation state of +6 in sulfate ions (SO4^2-).

Oxidation state of Fe:
Let's assume the oxidation state of iron in the complex ion is x.

- There are five water molecules (H2O) bonded to iron, and each water molecule contributes an oxidation state of 0 since oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 and hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. Therefore, the total contribution from the water molecules is 0 x 5 = 0.

- The nitrosyl group (NO+) has an oxidation state of +2 for nitrogen. Since there is only one nitrosyl group, its contribution is +2.

- The sulfate ion (SO4^2-) has an oxidation state of -2 for each oxygen atom and +6 for sulfur. Since there is one sulfate ion, its contribution is -2 x 4 + 6 = -2.

- The overall charge of the complex ion is +2, as indicated by the formula (Fe(H2O)5NO)2+. This means the sum of the oxidation states of all the elements must equal +2.

Now we can set up an equation to solve for the oxidation state of iron:

0 + 2 - 2 + x = +2

Simplifying the equation:

x = +2

Therefore, the oxidation state of iron in the complex ion (Fe(H2O)5NO)2+ is +2.

Summary:
The oxidation state of iron in the complex ion (Fe(H2O)5NO)2+ is +2. This is determined by considering the oxidation states of the other elements present in the compound: hydrogen (+1), oxygen (-2), nitrogen (+2), and sulfur (-2). By setting up an equation and solving for the oxidation state of iron, we find that it is +2 to satisfy the overall charge of the complex ion.