In: Chemistry
Use the periodic table to predict the most stable oxidation state for the following element: F
+1 |
+2 |
+3 |
-1 |
-2 |
From the position of F in the periodic table, it can be observed that it possesses the highest electronegativity in the period. Moreover, being the first halogen, it also has the highest electronegativity in the group, making it the most electronegative atom in the periodic table. This, combined with the electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p5 of F, makes it possess very low electron-low gain enthalpy as accepting one more electron helps it attain the noble gas configuration of Ne as 1s2 2s2 2p6. However, if it were to accept one more electron, owing to high effective nuclear charge in the nucleus, the dianion will be destabilized by high interelectronic repulsions arising from closely residing extra electrons. Taking a deeper look into the electron-affinity and electronegativity of F, it can be said that it is almost impossible to extract even a single electron from the atom, which also correlates with its high first ionization energy. Therefore, it can be concluded that the most stable oxidation state that F can possess is -1.