Variable Oxidation States
Which property most explains variable oxidation states in transition metals?
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- d- and f-block elements
- Topic
- variable oxidation states
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Comparable energies of (n−1)d and ns orbitals
- Electronic Configuration: Transition metals have the general outer configuration (n−1)d1−10ns1−2.
- Energy Proximity: The energy difference between the (n−1)d subshell and the ns subshell is very small.
- Bonding Involvement: Due to this comparable energy, transition metals can utilize electrons from both shells for chemical bonding.
- Mechanism: As more electrons are involved (first from ns, then progressively from (n−1)d), the metal can exhibit multiple, stable oxidation states (e.g.,Mn can show +2 to +7).
- Contrast: In s-block elements, the energy gap between the valence shell and the inner shell is large, resulting in fixed oxidation states.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter d- and f-block elements, covering the topic of variable oxidation states. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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