C6H5OH + 14 Mn{4+} + 11 H2O ---> 6 CO2 + 14 Mn{2+} + 28 H{+} This is the balanced equation for Phenol and Manganese (IV) in water, why is the number of electrons transferred to the Manganese atoms equal to the Number of Hydrogens (28), are the 28 hydrogens giving up 28 electrons? But isn't the oxidation state of Hydrogen <+1>? That would mean it wouldn't have any electrons to give. Can anyone answer this for me as to why there are 28 electrons being transferred if hydrogen has a oxidation state of +1 meaning it doesn't have any electrons to give?