4 Oxidation
States
Rationalised 2023-24
97
The d- and f- Block Elements
The elements which give the greatest number of oxidation states
occur in or near the middle of the series Manganese, for example,
exhibits all the oxidation states from +2 to +7 The lesser number of
oxidation states at the extreme ends stems from either too few electrons
to lose or share (Sc, Ti) or too many d electrons (hence fewer orbitals
available in which to share electrons with others) for higher valence
(Cu, Zn) Thus, early in the series scandium(II) is virtually unknown
and titanium (IV) is more stable than Ti(III) or Ti(II)