Question

How is the variability in oxidation states of transition metals different from that of the non-transition metals? Illustrate with examples.

Answer 1

The variability of oxidation states, a characteristics of transition elements arises out of incomplete filling of d orbitals in such a way that their oxidation states differ from each other by unity. This is in contrast with the variability of oxidation states of non transition elements where oxidation states normally differ by a unit of two. 

eg : Vanadium : V⁺², V⁺³, V⁺⁴, V⁺⁵ 

Chromium : Cr⁺², Cr⁺³, Cr⁺⁴, Cr⁺⁵, C⁺⁶ 

Nitrogen: +5, +3, +1, -1, -3.