Valence (chemistry) - Examples

Examples

(valencies according to the number of valence bonds definition and conform oxidation states)

COMPOUND FORMULA VALENCE OXIDATION STATE
Hydrogen chloride HCl H=1 Cl=1 H=+1 Cl=−1
Perchloric acid * HClO4 H=1 Cl=7 O=2 H=+1 Cl=+7 O=−2
Sodium hydride NaH Na=1 H=1 Na=+1 H=−1
Ferrous oxide ** FeO Fe=2 O=2 Fe=+2 O=−2
Ferric oxide ** Fe2O3 Fe=3 O=2 Fe=+3 O=−2

* The univalent perchlorate ion (ClO4−) has valence 1.
** Iron oxide appears in a crystal structure, so no typical molecule can be identified.
In ferrous oxide, Fe has oxidation number II, in ferric oxide, oxidation number III.

Examples where valences and oxidation states differ due to bonds between identical atoms

COMPOUND FORMULA VALENCE OXIDATION STATE
Chlorine Cl2 Cl=1 Cl=0
Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 H=1 O=2 H=+1 O=−1
Acetylene C2H2 C=4 H=1 C=−1 H=+1
Mercury(I) chloride Hg2Cl2 Hg=2 Cl=1 Hg=+1 Cl=−1

Valences may also be different from absolute values of oxidation states due to different polarity of bonds. For example, in dichloromethane, CH2Cl2, carbon has valence 4 but oxidation state 0.

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