What is the oxidation number of manganese in potassium permanganate, KMnO4?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → +7
In a neutral compound the oxidation numbers of all the atoms add up to zero. Potassium, an alkali metal, is +1, and oxygen is −2.
Let the oxidation number of Mn be \(x\)
\((+1)+x+4\times(-2)=0\)
\(1+x-8=0\), so \(x=+7\)