Question

Fluorine can exist in the oxidation states ______.

Options

• −1 only

• −1 and +1 only

• −1, +1 and +3 only

• −1, +1, +3, +5 and +7 

Answer 1

Fluorine can exist in the oxidation states −1 only.

Explanation:

Fluorine is the most electronegative element and lacks vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell. Hence, it cannot be oxidised and only shows a −1 oxidation state in all its compounds.