What oxidation number must be assigned to nitrogen in nitrogen trifluoride to nitrogen triiodide?

Answer 1

In NF3, the element fluorine is more electronegative compared to nitrogen.

The oxidation number of F in NF3 is -1.

Lets assume then the oxidation number of N is x

x + 3(-1) =0

x= +3

Oxidation number of Nitrogen in NF 3 is +3.

In NI3, the element fnitrogen is more electronegative compared to iodine.

The oxidation number of N in NI3 is -3.

Lets assume then the oxidation number of I is y

(-3) + 3y) =0

x= +1

Oxidation number of Iodine in NI3 is +1

Oxidation number of Nitrogen in NF 3 is +3.

+3, as there is three halogens in each compund, therefore their oxidation number will add up to -3 and so to balance it out, nitrogen must be +3.

Answer 2

The oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) is +3, while the oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrogen triiodide (NI3) is -3. In NF3, each fluorine atom has an oxidation number of -1, so the three fluorine atoms contribute to a total of -3, making nitrogen's oxidation number +3. In NI3, each iodine atom has an oxidation number of -1, so the three iodine atoms contribute to a total of -3, making nitrogen's oxidation number -3.