Question

The largest oxidation number exhibited by an element depends on its outer electronic configuration. With which of the following outer electronic configurations the element will exhibit largest oxidation number?

Options

• 3d¹4s²

• 3d³4s²

• 3d⁵4s¹

• 3d⁵4s² 

Answer 1

3d⁵4s² 

Explanation:

Highest O.N. of any transition element = (n – 1)d electrons +ns electrons. Therefore, larger the number of electrons in the 3d orbitals, higher is the maximum O.N.

(i) 3d¹4s² = 3

(ii) 3d²4s² = 3 + 2 = 5

(iii) 3d⁵4s¹ = 5 + 1 = 6

(iv) 3d⁵4s² = 5 + 2 = 7