The exhibition of various oxidation states by an element is also related to the outer orbital electornic configuration of its atom. Atom(s) having which of the following outermost electronic confjigurations will exhibit more than one oxidation state in its compounds

Options

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

Answer

b,c,d

Explanation

Elements which have only s-electrons in the valence shell do not show more than one oxidation state. Thus, element with `3s^(1)` as outer electronic configuration shows only one oxidation state of +1.
Transition element such as elements (b), (c ) having incompletely filled d-orbitals in the penultimate shell show variable oxidation states. Thus, element with outer electronic configuration as `3d^(1)4s^(2)` shows variable oxidation states of +2 and +3 and the element with outer electronic configuration as `3d^(2)4s^(2)` shows variable oxidation states of +2, +3 and +4.
p-Block elements also show variable oxidation states due to a number of reason such as involvement of d-orbitals and inert pair effect e.g., element (d) with `3s^(2)3p^(3)` as (i.e., P) as the outer electronic configuration shows variable oxidation states of +3 and +5 due to involvement of d-orbitals