Which of the following oxidation states is the most common among the lanthanoids ?

Options

A. `+2`
B. `+3`
C. `+4`
D. `+5`

Answer

B

Explanation

Lanthanoids show common oxidation state of `+3` Some of which also show `+2` and `+4` stable oxidation state alongwith `+3` oxidation state. These are shown by those elements which by losing 2 or 4 electrons acquire a stable configuration of `f^(0), f^(7)` or `f^(14)`, e.g., `Eu^(2+)" is "[Xe]4f^(7), Yb^(2+) " is "[Xe]4f^(14), Ce^(4+)" is "[Xe]4f^(0) " and "Tb^(4f) " is "[Xe]4f^(7)`.