Question

To what extent do the electronic configuration decide the stability of oxidation states in the first series of transition elements. Illustrate your answer with an example.

Answer 1

In a transition, the series the oxidation state which leads to exactly half filled or completely filled ‘d’ orbitals are more stable. For example, the electronic configuration of Fe(z = 96) is [Ar] 3d⁶ 4s². It shows +2 and +3 oxidation states. The +3 oxidation state is more stable because it has the configuration [Ar] 3d⁵.