Editing Oxidation state (section)

== Overview ==
Oxidation numbers are assigned to elements in a molecule such that the overall sum is zero in a neutral molecule. The number indicates the degree of oxidation of each element caused by molecular bonding. In ionic compounds, the oxidation numbers are the same as the element's ionic charge. Thus for KCl, potassium is assigned +1 and chlorine is assigned −1.<ref name=SiebringSchalff1980/> The complete set of rules for assigning oxidation numbers are discussed in the following sections.

Oxidation numbers are fundamental to the [[chemical nomenclature]] of ionic compounds. For example, Cu compounds with Cu oxidation state +2 are called ''cupric'' and those with state +1 are ''cuprous''.<ref name=SiebringSchalff1980>Siebring, B. R., Schaff, M. E. (1980). General Chemistry. United States: Wadsworth Publishing Company.</ref>{{rp|172}}  
The oxidation numbers of elements allow predictions of chemical formula and reactions, especially [[Redox|oxidation-reduction reactions]].
The oxidation numbers of the most stable chemical compounds follow trends in the periodic table.<ref name=GrayHaight1976>Gray, H. B., Haight, G. P. (1967). Basic Principles of Chemistry. Netherlands: W. A. Benjamin.</ref>{{rp|140}}