In which compound does chlorine have the highest oxidation number? (1) NaClO (3) NaClO3 (2) NaClO2 (4) NaClO4

NaClO₄

Solution:

Let us calculate the oxidation state of Chlorine in each compound one by one;

1) NaClO

O. N of Na = + 1

O. N of O = - 2

So,

(+1) + (Cl) + (-2) = 0

1 + Cl - 2 = 0

Cl = - 1 + 2

Cl = + 1

2) NaClO₃

(+1) + (Cl) + (-2) 3 = 0

(+1) + (Cl) - 6 = 0

1 + Cl - 6 = 0

Cl = - 1 + 6

Cl = + 5

3) NaClO₂

(+1) + (Cl) + (-2) 2 = 0

(+1) + (Cl) + (-4) = 0

1 + Cl - 4 = 0

Cl = - 1 + 4

Cl = + 3

4) NaClO₄

(+1) + (Cl) + (-2) 4 = 0

(+1) + (Cl) + (-8) = 0

1 + Cl - 8 = 0

Cl = - 1 + 8

Cl = + 7