What are the highest and lowest oxidation states of the following elements: Br, Si, P, N, Cl?

| September 21, 2021 | education

To determine this, consider the electronic structure of atoms in the ground state:

Br: 3d10 4s2 4p5. To fill the outer electron layer, the bromine atom lacks 1e, that is, it can take one more electron and 3d10 4s2 4p6, which will correspond to the oxidation state “-1” (minimum).

Bromine can donate 2 + 5 electrons from energy level 4 to completely release it. That is, it will take 3d10 4s0 4p0 oxidation state +7 (maximum).

Consider other atoms using a similar algorithm:

Si 2p6 3s2 3p2.

Not enough 4 electrons to complete the 3p sublevel => can accept max 4 electrons => max. Art. oxidation +4.

It can give 4 electrons from the 3 energy level => min. Oxidation -4.

Сl: 2p6 3s2 3p5. max st. oxid +7, min st. oxid -1.

P 2p6 3s2 3p3 max st. oxid +5, min. Art. oxidation -3.

N 1s2 2s2 2p3 max st. oxid +5, min. Art. oxidation -3.



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