Possible oxidation states for titanium can be

Options

A. `+2,+3 & +4`
B. Only `+3`
C. `+2 & +3`
D. Only `+2`

Answer

To determine the possible oxidation states for titanium, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Atomic Number and Electronic Configuration
- The atomic number of titanium (Ti) is 22.
- Its electronic configuration is:
- \( \text{Ti: } [\text{Ar}] 3d^2 4s^2 \)

### Step 2: Determine the Valence Electrons
- The valence electrons for titanium are found in the outermost shells, which are the 4s and 3d orbitals.
- Titanium has a total of 4 valence electrons (2 from 4s and 2 from 3d).

### Step 3: Possible Oxidation States
- Titanium can lose these valence electrons to form different oxidation states:
1. **+4 Oxidation State**: By losing all 4 valence electrons (2 from 4s and 2 from 3d).
2. **+3 Oxidation State**: By losing 3 electrons (2 from 3d and 1 from 4s).
3. **+2 Oxidation State**: By losing 2 electrons (both from the 4s orbital).

### Step 4: Confirming the Oxidation States with Reactions
- To validate these oxidation states, we can look at the reactions of titanium with oxygen:
1. **TiO Formation**: When titanium reacts with half a molecule of O2, it forms TiO, where titanium has an oxidation state of +2.
2. **Ti2O3 Formation**: When titanium reacts with three molecules of O2, it forms Ti2O3, where titanium has an oxidation state of +3.
3. **TiO2 Formation**: When titanium reacts with a single molecule of O2, it forms TiO2, where titanium has an oxidation state of +4.

### Conclusion
- Therefore, the possible oxidation states for titanium are **+2, +3, and +4**.

---