Question

Fluorine exhibits only $-1$ oxidation state whereas other halogens exhibit $+1,+3,+5\text{and}+7$ oxidation states also. Explain.

Answer 1

Oxidation states of halogens

Fluorine is the most electronegative element, so it cannot exhibit any positive oxidation state and also it does not have d orbitals in its valence shell, so it cannot expand their octet.

Other halogens have d orbitals, therefore, they can expand their octets and they can show $+1,+3,+5\text{and}+7$ oxidation states also.