Question

What are general oxidation states of group 13 elements? Explain.

Answer 1

• The general oxidation states of group 13 are +1 and +3.
• The group 13 elements have the outermost electronic configuration ns² np¹.
• If only np¹ electron takes part in bonding, the oxidation state is +1 and if all the three electrons i.e., ns² np¹ take part in bonding, the oxidation state is +3. Hence, the expected oxidation states are +1 and +3.