Determine the oxidation number of the element as indicated
(vi) C in `CH_(3)OH`

Answer

To determine the oxidation number of carbon (C) in methanol (CH₃OH), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the compound**: The compound we are analyzing is methanol, which has the chemical formula CH₃OH.

2. **Assign oxidation numbers to known elements**:
- Hydrogen (H) typically has an oxidation number of +1.
- Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation number of -2.

3. **Set up the equation**:
- Let the oxidation number of carbon (C) be represented as \( X \).
- In the molecule CH₃OH, there are 3 hydrogen atoms, 1 carbon atom, and 1 oxygen atom. The overall charge of the molecule is neutral (0).

4. **Write the equation based on the oxidation numbers**:
- The total contribution to the oxidation number from hydrogen is \( 3 \times (+1) = +3 \).
- The contribution from oxygen is \( 1 \times (-2) = -2 \).
- Therefore, the equation can be set up as:
\[ X + 3 - 2 + 1 = 0 \]

5. **Simplify the equation**:
- Combine the constants:
\[ X + 3 - 2 + 1 = X + 2 = 0 \]

6. **Solve for \( X \)**:
- Rearranging gives:
\[ X + 2 = 0 \implies X = -2 \]

7. **Conclusion**: The oxidation number of carbon (C) in methanol (CH₃OH) is -2.

### Summary:
The oxidation number of carbon in CH₃OH is -2.