[thedy]

Hi,may I reduce carbocation to carbanion?Is it possible?Because reduction is,when molecule or atom takes electrons.But second definition of oxidation/reduction,is that oxidation number must change.But when carbcation gain electron pair,it is reduced.But oxidation numbers of carbcation and carbanion are the same,right?
And second question:Does change an oxidation number of nucleophile reagent in acetal reaction?I think,that no,but in reaction scheme,we can see,that one intermediate is molecule with positive charge on oxygen due to three bonds.So,does it mean,that oxidation number is changed?
thanks

[thedy]

And yes,I forgot.What is the purpose of oxidation number,if this number is only hypothetical?When I have for example CO molecule,how help me to know,that oxygen has -II number and carbon +II?Who looses an electrons,since this is only hypothetical,and not real?
Total confused.How I m thinking minute by minute I m getting to be puzzleheaded....

[vmelkon]

And yes,I forgot.What is the purpose of oxidation number,if this number is only hypothetical?When I have for example CO molecule,how help me to know,that oxygen has -II number and carbon +II?Who looses an electrons,since this is only hypothetical,and not real?
Total confused.How I m thinking minute by minute I m getting to be puzzleheaded....

The oxidation value depends on the electronegativity of each atom.
For the case of CO, since the electronegativity of each atom is close,
2.6 and 3.4 = difference of 0.8
the bond between them is consider covalent.

Of course, since O is more electronegative, it tends to pull the electrons of the C to its side.

[thedy]

And yes,I forgot.What is the purpose of oxidation number,if this number is only hypothetical?When I have for example CO molecule,how help me to know,that oxygen has -II number and carbon +II?Who looses an electrons,since this is only hypothetical,and not real?
Total confused.How I m thinking minute by minute I m getting to be puzzleheaded....

The oxidation value depends on the electronegativity of each atom.
For the case of CO, since the electronegativity of each atom is close,
2.6 and 3.4 = difference of 0.8
the bond between them is consider covalent.

Of course, since O is more electronegative, it tends to pull the electrons of the C to its side.

Thanks,but oxidation number tells us information,,only if the bonds are completely ionic.But what about covalent molecules?What tells us oxidation number in covalent molecules?