Study Guides/Chemistry/Oxidation State of NO
Study Guide · Chemistry

Oxidation State of Nitrogen in NO

NO (Nitric Oxide / Nitrogen Monoxide) is an important compound in environmental chemistry and biology. Calculating the oxidation state of nitrogen in NO is a standard exam question.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the oxidation state of N in NO₂?

Answer

In NO₂: x + 2(-2) = 0 → x - 4 = 0 → x = +4

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Key Facts

NO is a radical (has an unpaired electron), making it highly reactive. It readily reacts with oxygen in air to form NO₂ (the reddish-brown gas associated with photochemical smog).

Calculation

In NO (Nitric Oxide):

Oxidation state of Oxygen = -2

Let oxidation state of Nitrogen = x

For neutral molecule: x + (-2) = 0

x = +2

Oxidation state of Nitrogen in NO = +2

Nitrogen Oxides Comparison

CompoundOxidation state of N
N₂O+1
NO+2
N₂O₃+3
NO₂+4
N₂O₅+5
NH₃-3

Importance of NO

  • NO is a significant air pollutant — released from vehicle exhaust and power plants, contributing to acid rain and smog.
  • In biology, NO is a vital signalling molecule — it relaxes blood vessels (vasodilation), crucial in regulating blood pressure. The discovery of NO as a signalling molecule won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology.

Questions and Answers

What is the oxidation state of N in NO₂?+

In NO₂: x + 2(-2) = 0 → x - 4 = 0 → x = **+4**

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