Valence, Oxidation Number, and Formal Charge

Terms such as valence, oxidation number and formal charge appear frequently in both elementary and advanced chemistry texts. 

• However, it is evident from the literature that these terms are often viewed to be synonymous and that conclusions pertaining to such an interpretation may be misleading. 

 Valence Number er of electrons th t a an atom uses in b di on ng. 

 Oxidation number The charge remaining on an atom when all ligands are removed heterolytically in their closed form, with the electrons being transferred to the more electronegative partner (homonuclear bonds do not contribute to the oxidation number). 

 Formal charge The charge remaining on an atom when all ligands are removed homolytically. 

 Coordination number The number of atoms bonded to the atom of interest interest.


To download the article click on the link below:

http://alpha.chem.umb.edu/chemistry/ch612/documents/ValenceMOTheory.pdf