Understanding Oxidation States in Ethanol (C2H5OH) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

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In summary, the oxidation state of carbon in C2H5OH is -2 and in CO2 it is +4 due to the molecule needing a charge of 0 and the two different carbon atoms in different states. The rules for oxidation states state that a monatomic ion must have a charge equal to its specified charge, while molecules must have a charge of 0.
  • #1
Integral0
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C2H5OH -> CO2

"Carbon is oxidized from an oxidation state of -2 in C2H5OH to +4 in CO2"

Don't the rules for oxidation states say that a monatomic ion is the same as its charge, therefore, C cannot be -2 because -4 (C) + 5 (H) + -1 (OH) yields 0 as a charge?
 
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RE

Because molecules like this one must have an electrical charge of 0 while ions must have their charges equaling what they specify.



20 mins wasted searching in my brain
 
  • #3
First off, you need to decide which carbon atom you're talking about. Because you've got two different carbon atoms in two different states. The structure of ethanol is:

CH3-CH2-OH

This is a neutral molecule, and the sum of the oxidation states will be 0. That's not a hydroxide ion, but an oxygen covalently bonded to carbon.

Just follow the rules and you'll be fine.
 

1. What is the process of oxidization?

Oxidization is the chemical reaction in which an atom or molecule loses electrons and increases its oxidation state.

2. How does oxidization occur in the reaction C2H5OH -> CO2?

In this reaction, C2H5OH (ethanol) is oxidized into CO2 (carbon dioxide) by losing hydrogen atoms and gaining oxygen atoms. The reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

3. What is the role of oxygen in oxidization?

Oxygen is a strong oxidizing agent and is necessary for the process of oxidization to occur. It accepts electrons from the substance being oxidized, causing it to lose electrons and become oxidized.

4. What are the products of the oxidization reaction C2H5OH -> CO2?

The products of this reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The carbon from C2H5OH combines with oxygen to form CO2, and the hydrogen combines with oxygen to form H2O.

5. How is the oxidization of C2H5OH -> CO2 important in daily life?

The oxidization of C2H5OH to CO2 is an important process in daily life as it is responsible for the production of energy in our bodies through cellular respiration. It is also involved in the production of alcoholic beverages and in various industrial processes such as fermentation and combustion.

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