Question

The largest oxidation number exhibited by an element depends on its outer electronic configuration. With which of the following outer electronic configurations the element will exhibit largest oxidation number?

• A. $3d^{1}4s^2$
• B. $3d^{3}4s^2$
• C. $3d^{5}4s^1$
• D. $3d^{5}4s^2$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$3d^{5}4s^2$

$3d^{1}4s^2$ can exhibit highest oxidation state as 2+1= +3,

$3d^{3}4s^2$ can exhibit highest oxidation state as2+3=+5

$3d^{5}4s^1$ can exhibit the highest oxidation state as 1+5= +6

$3d^{5}4s^2$ can exhibit highest oxidation state as 2+5= +7
Among the given configuration the highest oxidation state is given by $3d^{5}4s^2$