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Oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds is -2.
Explanation:
- Oxidation number is the number assigned to an atom to indicate its degree of oxidation or loss/gain of electrons.
- Oxygen is a highly electronegative element, meaning it has a strong tendency to attract electrons.
- In most compounds, oxygen has an oxidation number of -2 because it tends to gain electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration (8 valence electrons).
- For example, in water (H2O), each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1 and the oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2, which balances out the charge to zero.
- There are some exceptions to this rule, such as in peroxides where oxygen has an oxidation number of -1, and in compounds with more electronegative elements where oxygen may have a positive oxidation number.
- Overall, the oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds is -2.