JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3bn016
Sodium nitroprusside is NaX2[Fe(CN)X5(NO)]. Treat each cyanide as CNX− and the nitrosyl ligand as the nitrosonium cation NOX+. What is the oxidation number of iron?
A+1
B+2
C+3
D+4
Answer: B
The complex is neutral: 2(+1)+x+5(−1)+(+1)=0, so x=+2.