Oxidation States

 A major characteristic of Transition Elements is to have multiple oxidation states.

Why?

·        d-orbitals are close in energy.

·        Just as easy to remove several electrons as one

·        With s and p block elements, there is normally a large difference between the outer electrons in orbitals.

Oxidation states you need to know

1.                  Iron can have the following oxidation states

+2, +3, +4, +5 and +6. BUT +2 and +3 are the most common. These need to be learnt.

2.                  Copper can have the following oxidation states

+1, +2, +3. BUT +1 and +2 are the most common. These need to be learnt.

You need to learn these!!!!