[ceity]

What is the likely formula for the molecule NH?OH?

The answer is 2 - NH2OH.

I don't fully understand how the answer is 2. Does this mean that H is 1+, N is 2-, and O is 1-? I'd very much appreciate a step-by-step guide or advice on how to figure out each element's oxidation number!

[Borek]

O & H have (almost) always same oxidation numbers -2 and +1. Start from there.

[ceity]

O & H have (almost) always same oxidation numbers -2 and +1. Start from there.

Thank you.

If O is 2- and H is 1+, N would have to be 1-, which doesn't exist. Wouldn't O have to be 1-, since if O was 2-, N would need to be 1-?

I can see how O being 2- would have worked for NH4OH. Am I missing something here?

[sjb]

O & H have (almost) always same oxidation numbers -2 and +1. Start from there.

Thank you.

If O is 2- and H is 1+, N would have to be 1-, which doesn't exist. Wouldn't O have to be 1-, since if O was 2-, N would need to be 1-?

I can see how O being 2- would have worked for NH4OH. Am I missing something here?

Why do you feel the -1 oxidation state doesn't exist?