Which one of the elements with the following outer orbital configuration may exhibit the larger number of oxidation states ?

Options

A. `3d^(5) 4s^(1)`
B. `3d^(5) 4s^(2)`
C. `3d^(2) 4s^(2)`
D. `3d^(3) 4s^(2)`

Answer

B

Explanation

Variable oxidation states of transition metals arise form fact that the energy difference between (n - 1) d subshell and ns subshell is relatively small and hence electrons form both the subshell can participate in bonding. Mn with maximum no. of unpaired (n - 1) d electrons and maximum no. of ns electrons exhibits the largest numbver of oxibation states: `-1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6` and `+7`.