Carbon through Lead, the Tetrels

Oxidation numbers in the simplest compounds (-IV), (-H), (0), (II), (IV), as in CH4, CH3OH, CH2O, CO and CO2. Most of these, however, are well described with the older concept of valence, usually four. Still, oxidation number provides one needed criterion for sequencing here. 

Carbon monoxide is slightly soluble inH20,1.3 mM at 8°C. 

Hydrogen cyanide is completely miscible with water. The cyanides of Alk, most Ae, An and Hg ate soluble Ba(CN)2 is sparingly soluble. The solutions react alkaline. 

Aqueous HCN (or CNl l drolyzes slowly, forming ammonium formate, more readily in the light  

Warming with a dilute acid or alkali yields, as expected, HCO2H and or HC02 and NH3, respectively. 

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