Simple mathematical equations for calculating oxidation number of organic carbons, number of transferred electrons, oxidative ratio, and mole of oxygen molecule in combustion reactions

Abstract

Abstract The oxidation number and number of transferred electrons are two paramount parameters in the study of redox reactions. Their calculations are both important and challenging. The oxidation number of organic carbons is used in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and applied chemistry. Combustion reaction is a classical type of redox reaction, in which the oxygen molecule (O2) is the oxidizing agent. In this article, the integration of three sets of relations is explored by using the method of balancing organic combustion: (i) number of transferred electrons and oxidation number of organic carbons, (ii) mole of oxygen molecule and number of transferred electrons, and (iii) oxidative ratio, oxidation number of organic carbons, and number of transferred electrons. This method can also establish the relationships among the stoichiometric coefficients, mole of oxygen molecule, oxidative ratio, number of transferred electrons, and oxidation number of organic carbons. Furthermore, the oxidation number of organic carbons and the number of transferred electrons of a given organic compound can be determined by the derived mathematical equations.