Question

Arrange the following molecules in order with respect to their relative levels of oxidation (assign 5 to the most oxidized and 1 to the most reduced).

_______ CH2O (formaldehyde)

_______ CH4 (methane)

_______ CHOOH (formic acid)

_______ CH3OH (methanol)

_______ CO2 (carbon dioxide)

Answer 1

Methanol (CH3OH) is the most reduced with an oxidation level of 1, while carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most oxidized with an oxidation level of 5.

Step-by-step explanation:

To arrange the molecules CH3OH (methanol) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) with respect to their relative levels of oxidation, we need to consider the oxidation states of the carbon atoms in these molecules. The more a molecule has bonds to oxygen (or other more electronegative elements compared to hydrogen), the higher its oxidation state. Here's the arrangement from most reduced to most oxidized:

1. CH3OH (Methanol): Oxidation level 1
2. CO2 (Carbon dioxide): Oxidation level 5

Methanol (CH3OH) has one carbon bonded to one oxygen and three hydrogens, indicating it is less oxidized. Carbon dioxide (CO2), on the other hand, has carbon fully oxidized, as it is bonded to two oxygens with no hydrogens attached. Therefore, methanol is the most reduced (1), while carbon dioxide is the most oxidized (5).