NEET2009Chemistryd and f Block ElementsActual
Which one of the elements with the following outer orbital configurations may exhibit the largest number of oxidation states ?
Options
- A3 d^3, 4 ~s ^2
- B3 d^5, 4 ~s ^1
- C3 d^5, 4 s^2
- D3 d^2, 4 s^2
Correct answer
C. 3 d^5, 4 s^2
Step-by-step solution
Key Idea Number of oxidation states exhibited by d-block elements is the sum of number of electrons (unpaired) in d-orbitals and number of electrons in s-orbital. (a) 3 ~d ^3, 4 ~s ^2 O . S =3+2=5 (b) 3 ~d ^5, 4 ~s ^1 O . S =5+1=6 (c) 3 ~d ^5, 4 ~s ^2 O . S =5+2=7 (d) 3 ~d ^2, 4 ~s ^2 O . S =2+2=4 Hence, element with 3 ~d ^5, 4 ~s ^2 configuration exhibits largest number of oxidation states.