Question

Element not showing variable oxidation state is:

• A. Bromine
• B. Iodine
• C. Chlorine
• D. Fluorine

Hint:

Fluorine, being highly electronegative and lacking vacant \( d \)-orbitals, always adopts an oxidation state of \( -1 \), unlike other halogens that show variable oxidation states.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Fluorine is the most electronegative element and does not exhibit variable oxidation states because:
1. It cannot expand its octet since it has no available \( d \)-orbitals.
2. Due to its high electronegativity, fluorine always assumes an oxidation state of \( -1 \) in its compounds.
Other halogens, such as bromine, iodine, and chlorine, can exhibit variable oxidation states as they possess vacant \( d \)-orbitals that allow them to expand their octet.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Fluorine}} \]