Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Big-Daddy on February 24, 2014, 12:01:10 PM

Title: Stannane oxidation numbers
Post by: Big-Daddy on February 24, 2014, 12:01:10 PM
Are the oxidation numbers of Sn in SnH4 and Bi in BiH3 equal to -4 and -3 respectively? I read somewhere they are hydrides but their names ("stannane" and "bismuthane") seem to suggest they are like methane.
Title: Re: Stannane oxidation numbers
Post by: Corribus on February 24, 2014, 01:43:32 PM
These assignments are just formal charges and don't necessarily impact nomenclature. What are the electronegativities of carbon, tin and hydrogen?
Title: Re: Stannane oxidation numbers
Post by: Big-Daddy on February 25, 2014, 01:58:55 AM
Quote from: Corribus on February 24, 2014, 01:43:32 PM
These assignments are just formal charges and don't necessarily impact nomenclature. What are the electronegativities of carbon, tin and hydrogen?

Ok so according to one source I found, the electronegativities (I don't know relative to what, or on what scale) are given as 2.5 for C, 2.1 for H, 1.8 for Sn and 1.9 for Bi. According to this, the hydride seems a decent bet.

The question was spurred by a Latimer diagram which saw Sn4+  :rarrow: Sn2+  :rarrow: Sn  :rarrow: SnH4 and the equivalent for bismuth, which I suppose also backs up the idea that SnH4 would have +4 oxidation state, and Bi in BiH3 a +3.
Title: Re: Stannane oxidation numbers
Post by: Corribus on February 25, 2014, 09:15:21 AM
Sounds reasonable to me. Just keep in mind that oxidation state implies a completely ionic bond, which may not always be an accurate representation of what's going on.