Question

Fluorine exhibits only $-1$ oxidation state where as other halogens exhibit $+1,+3,+5$ and $+7$ oxidation states also. Explain.

Answer 1

Fluorine is the most electronegative element and cannot exhibit any positive oxidation state as it does not have d orbitals in its valence shell. Other halogens have $d-orbitals$ and therefore, can expand their octets and show $+1,+3,+5$ and $+7$ oxidation states also.