ABSTRACT
Hydrogen usually forms compounds with other atoms that are more electronegative. It can be of as acting as a reductant.Inthatcase,itsoxidationnumberis+ 1 :
hydrogen atom
(oxidation number 0)
H+ + e hydrogen ion
H : 0: H
COOI 2e-
CH2 I
(5 . 1 )
CH2 I
The two carbons change their oxidation number from - 1 to - 2. The standard redox potential for the reaction is around o V. A more negative redox potential (around -0. 3 V) is found for the reduction of a ketone to an alcohoL In this case the carbon changes its oxidation state from +2 to O.
