inorganic - transition metals 4 (not completed)

Question 1

why and how do transition metals have variable oxidation state

Answer 1

• they have partially filled 3d-orbital, so they can lose 3d and 4s electron(s)
• when transition metals form ions they lose the 4s electrons before the 3d.

Question 2

general trends

Answer 2

• relative stability of +2 state with respect to +3 state increases across the period
• compounds with high oxidation states tend to be oxidising agents e.g MnO4-
• compounds with low oxidation states are often reducing agents or simple ions
  e. g V2+ & Fe2+

Question 3

vanadium’s four main oxidation states and their colours

Answer 3

• VO2+ oxidation state +5 ( a yellow solution)
• VO2+ oxidation state + 4 (a blue solution)
• V3+ oxidation state + 3 (a green solution)
• V2+ oxidation state + 2 (a violet solution)