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In which compound is the oxidation state of hydrogen NOT +1?

A) H₂O₂
B) Na₂HSO₄
C) NaH
D) H₂O

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The compound in which the oxidation state of hydrogen is not +1 is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Unlike in water and other common compounds, the oxygen in hydrogen peroxide has an oxidation state of -1, leading to a different oxidation state for hydrogen in this compound.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of oxidation states, hydrogen typically possesses an oxidation number of +1 in most compounds. This can be observed in water (H₂O), where each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1, and the oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2. Similarly, in sodium bisulfate (Na₂HSO₄) and sodium hydride (NaH), hydrogen also maintains an oxidation number of +1. However, an exception to this rule is found in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), whereby the oxidation number of oxygen is -1, exhibiting that hydrogen's oxidation state is not always +1. Since hydrogen peroxide contains oxygen in a -1 oxidation state as opposed to its usual -2, it stands as the compound in the given options where hydrogen's oxidation state is not +1.

It is important to note that hydrogen exhibits a -1 oxidation state when bonded to metals forming binary compounds like LiH, NaH, and CaH₂. However, when bonded to nonmetals, hydrogen's oxidation state is +1 due to the electronegativity differences between hydrogen and nonmetals.

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