The terms oxidation state and oxidation number are often used interchangeably. However, oxidation number is used in coordination chemistry with a slightly different meaning. In coordination chemistry, the rules used for counting electrons are different: Every electron in a metal-ligand bond belongs to the ligand, regardless of electronegativity. Also, oxidation numbers are conventionally represented with Roman numerals, while oxidation states use Indo-Arabic numerals.
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Famous quotes containing the word number:
“The serial number of a human specimen is the face, that accidental and unrepeatable combination of features. It reflects neither character nor soul, nor what we call the self. The face is only the serial number of a specimen.”
—Milan Kundera (b. 1929)