Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:
Within the 3d series, manganese exhibits oxidation states in aqueous solution from +2 to +7, ranging from `Mn^(2+)(aq)` to `MnO_(4)^(-)` (aq). Likewise, iron forms both `Fe^(2+)(aq)` and `Fe^(3+)(aq)` as well as the `FeO_(4)^(2-)` ion. Cr and Mn form oxyions `CrO_(4)^(2-) , MnO_(4)^(-)`, owing to their willingness to form multiple bonds . The pattern with the early transition metals-in the 3d series up to Mn, and for the 4d, 5d metals up to Ru and Os—is that the maximum oxidation state corresponds to the number of ‘‘outer shell’’ electrons. The highest oxidation states of the 3d metals may depend upon complex formation (e.g., the stabilization of `Co^(3+)` by ammonia) or upon the pH (thus `MnO_(4)^(2-)` (aq) is prone to disproportionation in acidic solution). Within the 3d series, there is considerable variation in relative stability of oxidation states, sometimes on moving from one metal to a neighbor, thus, for iron, `Fe^(3+)` is more stable than `Fe^(2+)`, especially in alkaline conditions, while the reverse is true for cobalt. The ability of transition metals to exhibit a wide range of oxidation states is marked with metals such as vanadium, where the standard potentials can be rather small, making a switch between states relatively easy.
(Cotton, S. A. (2011). Lanthanides: Comparison to 3d metals. Encyclopedia of inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry.)
In the following questions, a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices on the basis of the above passage.
Assertion: Highest oxidation state is exhibited by transition metal lying in the middle of the series.
Reason: The highest oxidation state exhibited corresponds to number of (n-1)d electrons.

Options

A. Assertion and reason both are correct statements and reason is correct explanation for assertion.
B. Assertion and reason both are correct statements but reason is not correct explanation for assertion.
C. Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
D. Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement.

Answer

To solve the question, we will analyze the assertion and reason provided in the context of the passage.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Assertion**:
- The assertion states that the highest oxidation state is exhibited by transition metals lying in the middle of the series.
- According to the passage, it is mentioned that the maximum oxidation state corresponds to the number of outer shell electrons. This implies that transition metals in the middle of the series, which have more outer shell electrons, can exhibit higher oxidation states.

2. **Evaluating the Reason**:
- The reason states that the highest oxidation state exhibited corresponds to the number of (n-1)d electrons.
- The passage indicates that the highest oxidation states of transition metals can depend on factors such as complex formation and pH, rather than solely on the number of (n-1)d electrons. Therefore, this statement is not necessarily true for all transition metals.

3. **Conclusion**:
- Since the assertion is true (the highest oxidation states are indeed often found in the middle of the series), but the reason is false (it does not universally apply to all transition metals), we conclude that the assertion is correct while the reason is incorrect.

### Final Answer:
- The assertion is true, and the reason is false. Therefore, the correct option is that the assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.

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