Oxidation state of metal

[Bailey Herbert 2L]

Does the oxidation state of a metal differ from the oxidation state of a non-metal? Does it have any other significance? One of the homework problems asks for the oxidation state of the metal species in a complex so I was wondering why it asked for that specifically.

[Katelyn Alvarado 3K]

Yes, the oxidation state of a metal differs from the oxidation state of a non-metal. The oxidation state of a metal species in a coordination subject is always subject to change as transition metals can have several different oxygen states, or in other words they can form different numbers of bonds, such as either II or IIII depending on the compound they are a part of.

[Nicole 3G]

Hi,

They are different! Metals can have several different oxidation states (like I or II, shown by Roman numerals).

[Joshua Lee 3C]

Yes, transition metals in specific are known to have the ability to have many different oxidation states. This is because most of the transition metals have partially filled d orbitals. They are able to use both the electrons in this d orbital as well as those in the following s orbital to form bonds. This is because these two orbitals have very little difference in energy. This means that you must calculate, based on the context given by the compound, its oxidation state.