* Iron(II) Chloride (FeCl₂): In this compound, iron has an oxidation state of +2.
* Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl₃): In this compound, iron has an oxidation state of +3.
How to Determine Oxidation State:
1. Chlorine's Oxidation State: Chlorine typically has an oxidation state of -1 in its compounds.
2. Overall Charge: The overall charge of a neutral compound is always zero.
3. Balancing: To determine the oxidation state of iron, you balance the charges.
Example with FeCl₂:
* Chlorine has a -1 oxidation state, and there are two chlorine atoms, so the total negative charge is -2.
* To balance the charge, the iron atom must have a +2 oxidation state.
Example with FeCl₃:
* Chlorine has a -1 oxidation state, and there are three chlorine atoms, so the total negative charge is -3.
* To balance the charge, the iron atom must have a +3 oxidation state.
