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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3bn133

What is the oxidation number of O in potassium superoxide, $KO X_{2}$ (the anion is $O X_{2} X^{-}$ )?

A $- \frac{1}{2}$
B $- 1$
C $- 2$
D $+ \frac{1}{2}$

Answer: A

The two O atoms of

O X_{2} X^{-}

share a charge of

- 1

, so each carries

- 1/2

on average.

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