Question

Which of the following shows maximum number of oxidation states 

• A. Cr
• B. Fe
• C. Mn
• D. V

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question asks which element exhibits the maximum number of oxidation states. The elements given are Cr (Chromium), Fe (Iron), Mn (Manganese), and V (Vanadium). Understanding oxidation states and how they are determined for each element will help us solve this question.

Explanation and Logic:

The oxidation state of an element is determined by the number of electrons it can lose, gain, or share when forming chemical compounds. Transition elements, due to their d-subshell electrons, often exhibit multiple oxidation states.

1. Chromium (Cr): Chromium commonly shows oxidation states from +2 to +6. Some of the common oxidation states are +2, +3, and +6. It has a variable oxidation state but does not cover all the possible oxidation states exhaustively.
2. Iron (Fe): Iron primarily exhibits two oxidation states: +2 (ferrous) and +3 (ferric). Sometimes, less common oxidation states such as +4 and +6 can be observed in rare compounds.
3. Manganese (Mn): Manganese displays a wide range of oxidation states from +2 to +7. Some common states include +2, +3, +4, +6, and +7. The presence of empty and half-filled d-orbitals allows Mn to stabilize in multiple forms.
4. Vanadium (V): Vanadium can exhibit oxidation states from +2 to +5. While it shows variability, it does not surpass Mn in terms of the number of different oxidation states.

Conclusion:

Among the given elements, Manganese (Mn) shows the maximum number of oxidation states, ranging from +2 to +7. This is due to its ability to lose different numbers of electrons from the 3d and 4s orbitals.

Hence, the correct answer is Mn (Manganese).