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oxidation states

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movies:
I thought CO2 was C4+?  Isn't oxygen always 2- except in ozone?

Mitch:
CARBON IS NOT ALWAYS +4 IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY!!!

Take something like C2H4, a double bond. The Carbon has an oxidation state of +2. Then look at ethane C2H6. Now carbon has an oxidation state of +3. Carbon lossed an electron, so it was oxidized. That is why we say we oxidized a molecule when we break-up the double bond. And that is why we say, "we reduced" when we form double bonds.

Tetrahedrite:
You are correct, my apologies! ???

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