Question

Out of the following outer electronic configurations of atoms, the highest oxidation state is achieved by which one ?

• A. $(n - 1)d^8 \, ns^2$
• B. $(n - 1)d^5 \, \, ns^2$
• C. $(n - 1)d^3 \, \, ns^2$
• D. $(n - 1)d^5 \, \, ns^1$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$(n - 1)d^5 \, \, ns^2$

Answer 2

Out of the given outer electronic configuration of atoms, the highest oxidation state is achieved by $(n-1) d^{5} n s^{2}$ i.e. $7$ A large number of oxidation state is due to the fact the $(n-1) d$ -electrons may get involved along with $n s$ electrons in bonding as electrons in $(n-1) d$ - orbitals are in an energy state comparable to $ns$ -electrons. Oxidation state of other options are as follows: