The oxidation number of carboxylic carbon atom in `CH_(3)COOH` is

Options

A. `+2`
B. `+4`
C. `+1`
D. `+3`

Explanation

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

### Step 1: Identify the Structure of Acetic Acid
Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) has the following structure:
- It consists of a methyl group (CH₃) attached to a carboxylic group (COOH).
- The carboxylic group contains one carbon atom that we need to analyze.

### Step 2: Assign Oxidation Numbers to Other Atoms
- The carbon atom in the methyl group (CH₃) is typically assigned an oxidation number of 0.
- In the carboxylic group (COOH), we have:
- The carbon atom (C) that is double-bonded to an oxygen atom (O) and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH).
- The double-bonded oxygen (C=O) is assigned an oxidation number of -2.
- The single-bonded oxygen in the hydroxyl group (OH) is assigned an oxidation number of -1.

### Step 3: Set Up the Equation
Let the oxidation number of the carboxylic carbon atom be represented as \( x \). The overall charge of the molecule is neutral (0), so we can set up the following equation based on the sum of oxidation numbers:

\[ x + 0 + (-2) + (-1) = 0 \]

### Step 4: Solve the Equation
Now we simplify the equation:

\[ x - 3 = 0 \]

Adding 3 to both sides gives:

\[ x = +3 \]

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

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