What is the range of oxidation states that are exhibited by P?
A)from -3 to 0
B)from -2 to +2
C)from -3 to +5
D)from -1 to +5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phosphorus can have oxidation states ranging from -3 to +5. This is because phosphorus has five valence electrons and can either gain three electrons to form the P3- ion, lose three electrons to form the P3+ ion, or share electrons in covalent bonds to form compounds with oxidation states ranging from -3 to +5. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it includes the full range of possible oxidation states for phosphorus.

What Is the Range of Oxidation States That Are Exhibited