Which ion has silicon in the +4 oxidation state?

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Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

Which ion has silicon in the +4 oxidation state?

Explanation:
Assigning oxidation states in oxoanions shows why silicon is +4 in this ion. Oxygen almost always carries -2. In the ion with three oxygens bound to silicon and an overall -2 charge, let the oxidation state of silicon be x: x + 3(-2) = -2. That gives x - 6 = -2, so x = +4. This confirms silicon is in the +4 state there. The other ions don’t contain silicon at all, so they can’t have silicon in any oxidation state. For example, cyanide involves carbon and nitrogen with their usual oxidation states, manganate has manganese in a high +7 state, and bicarbonate has carbon in +4 but no silicon.

Assigning oxidation states in oxoanions shows why silicon is +4 in this ion. Oxygen almost always carries -2. In the ion with three oxygens bound to silicon and an overall -2 charge, let the oxidation state of silicon be x: x + 3(-2) = -2. That gives x - 6 = -2, so x = +4. This confirms silicon is in the +4 state there. The other ions don’t contain silicon at all, so they can’t have silicon in any oxidation state. For example, cyanide involves carbon and nitrogen with their usual oxidation states, manganate has manganese in a high +7 state, and bicarbonate has carbon in +4 but no silicon.

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