Why do transition metals have different oxidation state?

Transition metals can have multiple oxidation states because of their electrons. The transition metals have several electrons with similar energies, so one or all of them can be removed, depending the circumstances. This results in different oxidation states.

Do transition metals have only one oxidation number?

Scandium is one of the two elements in the first transition metal period which has only one oxidation state (zinc is the other, with an oxidation state of +2). All the other elements have at least two different oxidation states.

How many oxidation states do transition metals have?

Because transition metals have more than one stable oxidation state, we use a number in Roman numerals to indicate the oxidation number e.g. Iron(III) chloride contains iron with an oxidation number of +3, while iron(II) chloride has iron in the +2 oxidation state.

Why do some elements have different oxidation numbers?

As you told oxidation number(oxidation state) is number assigned to atom, ion or compound which represent electron gain or lost by atom, ion or compound. Some element have more than one oxidation number, because they act differently when they combine with other element.

Why transition metal exhibits the highest oxidation state in oxides and fluorides?

Oxygen and fluorine behave as strong oxidising agents because of their high electronegativities and small sizes. Hence, they bring out the highest oxidation states from the transition metals. In other words, a transition metal shows higher oxidation states in oxides and fluorides.

Can transition metals have negative oxidation states?

Yes. The negative formal oxidation state for transition metal in complexes generally occurs in carbonyl compounds, or perhaps in compounds with other strong Pi back bonding ligand. Here are some examples: [Ti(CO)6]2−, [V(CO)6]−, [M(CO)5]− (M = Mn, Tc, Re), [M(CO)4]2− (M = Fe, Ru, Os), [Co(CO)4]−, and so on.

How are oxidation states of transition metals indicated in the names of metal compounds?

When you are naming a transition- metal compound, it is necessary to indicate which oxidation number the metal has. The oxidation number appears as a Roman numeral in parentheses after the cation.

Why the highest oxidation state of transition elements is observed in their oxoanions only?

Among transition metals, the highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxoanions of a metal. Oxygen is strong oxidising agent due to its high electronegtivity and smaller size. because of these properties Oxygen are able to oxidise the metal to its highest oxidation state.

Why is the lowest oxide of a transition metal basic while the higher ones are predominantly acidic or amphoteric?

The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic whereas the highest oxide is. amphoteric or acidic. The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic because of some valence electron are not involved in bonding thus act as a base due to the availability of free electrons.