Oxidation and reduction process happens in every chemical reaction and during this process, there is a
transfer of electrons and based on this transfer oxidation number of an element or a compound is evaluated.
Oxidation number calculator is the online tool which can calculate oxidation numbers of an element or a
compound.
Example 1: Calculate the oxidation number of every element of the compound magnesium
chloride.
Given: Magnesium chloride MgCl2
In the periodic table, Chlorine ‘Cl’ comes under Halogen group and the oxidation number of every element in
that group is ‘-1’, because of their valence electrons.
Hence oxidation number of ‘Cl’ is -1.
Let magnesium oxidation number= x
Now since the overall charge or oxidation number on the compound = 0
Hence we get x + (2*-1) = 0-> x -2= 0 -> x = +2
Hence oxidation number of Magnesium is +2
Example 2: Calculate the oxidation number of every element of the compound Fe2O3.
Given: Iron(III) oxide-> Fe2O3.
In the periodic table, Oxygen ‘O’ usually has the oxidation number= ‘-2’ (excluding some exceptions) because
of its valence electronic configuration.
Hence oxidation number of ‘O’ is -2.
Let Iron, Fe oxidation number= x
Now since the overall charge or oxidation number on the compound = 0
Hence we get 2x + (3*-2) = 0-> 2x -6= 0 -> 2x = 6-> x= +3
Hence oxidation number of Iron, Fe is +3.