How does the oxidation number change for copper in step one?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 13, 2017

You have stumped us here! Where is #"step 1"#?

Explanation:

Copper metal can undergo several redox transformations:

#Cu rarr Cu^+ + e^-#

#Cu rarr Cu^(2+) + 2e^(-)#

#Cu^(3+)# is known, but not at A level or undergraduate level.

Of course, the standard electrochemistry tables report reductions, not oxidations. What transformations are shown here?

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