In Carbon suboxide ( ), the actual structural oxidation states of the constituent carbon atoms are: — Redox Reactions and Volumetric Analysis Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Structurally, carbon suboxide is linear: $O=C=C=C=O$ . The terminal carbons are attached to oxygen (-2), so they acquire a +2 oxidation state. The central carbon is attached only to other carbon atoms, keeping its oxidation state at 0. The average is mathematically +4/3.