Why do transition metals often have more than one possible ion, and why we distinguish these ions in the form of roman numerals in brackets?

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Chemistry

Belen Myers

6 September, 05:29

Why do transition metals often have more than one possible ion, and why we distinguish these ions in the form of roman numerals in brackets?

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Tessie · Answer 1

They have variable Oxidation States, meaning they can undergo reduction to oxidise some other species or they can undergo oxidation to reduce some other species.

To my understanding, for A-levels, they can change oxidation states as they lose the s-orbital electrons before losing d-orbital electrons and the 5 d-orbitals are not all at the same energy.

With regards to using roman numerals, I believe it's just traditional convention.