Question

Transition elements sometimes exhibit very low oxidation states why?

Answer 1

because transition metals can exibit both properties of metal as well as non metals so they oxidize sometimes at low temperature

Answer 2

Hey dear,
Usually transition metals oxidation states from 0 to +7 depending upon their electronic configuration.

● Why transition elements sometimes exhibit very low oxidation states -
- Transition metal (like Scandium) sometimes have very few electrons for donating, hence can't have higher oxidation states.
- At other times, transition metals (like zinc) have almost filled d-orbitals so can't share electrons efficiently, thus can't show higher oxidation state.
- Therefore, transition metals show valencies as low as 0 or +1.

Hope this cleared your question.