In case of `CH_(3)COOH`, the oxidation number of carbon of carboxylic group is

Options

A. -3
B. Zero
C. `+1`
D. `+3`

Answer

To determine the oxidation number of the carbon atom in the carboxylic group of acetic acid (CH₃COOH), we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of the carboxylic group
The carboxylic group (–COOH) consists of one carbon atom (C) bonded to two oxygen atoms (O) and one hydrogen atom (H). The structure can be represented as:
```
O
||
H–C–O–H
```
In this structure, one oxygen is double-bonded to the carbon, and the other oxygen is single-bonded to the carbon and also bonded to a hydrogen atom.

### Step 2: Assign oxidation states to the atoms
- The oxidation state of hydrogen (H) is +1.
- The oxidation state of oxygen (O) is -2 for the double-bonded oxygen and -1 for the single-bonded oxygen (in the hydroxyl group).

### Step 3: Set up the equation for the oxidation state of carbon
Let the oxidation state of carbon be represented as \( x \). The total charge of the carboxylic group must equal zero since it is a neutral molecule. Therefore, we can set up the following equation:
\[ x + (-2) + (-1) = 0 \]

### Step 4: Solve for the oxidation state of carbon
Now, we can simplify and solve the equation:
\[ x - 2 - 1 = 0 \]
\[ x - 3 = 0 \]
\[ x = +3 \]

### Conclusion
The oxidation number of the carbon atom in the carboxylic group (–COOH) of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is +3.

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