Redox & Inorganic Chemistry

Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons — remember OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).

Oxidation numbers

Rules: elements = 0; Group 1 = +1, Group 2 = +2; oxygen usually −2; hydrogen usually +1; the sum equals the overall charge.

Worked example. In $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$: oxygen is $4 \times (-2) = -8$; total is $-2$, so sulfur $= +6$.