2. Transition metals exist in a variety of oxidation states. Molybdenum, for exa

Question

2. Transition metals exist in a variety of oxidation states. Molybdenum, for example, exists in [16] zero valent state in Mo(CO)6, but in the 6+ state in the ion molybdate, MoO The +6 oxidation state is the highest known for molybdenum. Using Aufbau Principle, write out the electronic configurations of molybdenum in Mo(CO)6 and in Mo042- a) b) Based on the electronic structure of molybdenum in each species, what determines the highest oxidation state of the metal. c) Based on your answer to part b, what would you expect to be the highest oxidation state of Tc. Explain your reasoning.

Explanation / Answer

a]

In Mo(CO)6 , the oxidation state of Mo is zero (given )

Mo --->atomic number = 42

Electronic configuration ---> 1s2 2s2 2p63s2 3p6 3d104s2 4p6 4d5 5s1

In MoO4 -2 , the oxidation state of Mo is +6

It means it loses 6 electrons

Electronic configuration of Mo+6 = 1s2 2s2 2p63s2 3p6 3d104s2 4p6

b]

The outermost valence orbit should have octet configuration to be a stable atom

Octet configuration --->It means that the atom has 8 electrons in the valence shell

So to have 8 electrons in the valence shell , Mo exhibits +6 oxidation state

c)

Tc ---> Atomic number ---> 43

Electronic configuration ---> 1s2 2s2 2p63s2 3p6 3d104s2 4p6 4d5 5s2

It can loose 7 electrons to make octet configuration ,

So highest oxidation state of Tc is +7

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