What are general oxidation states of group 13 elements? Explain.
Answer»
The general oxidation states of group 13 are +1 and +3.
The group 13 elements have the outermost electronic configuration ns2 np1.
If only np1 electron takes part in bonding, the oxidation state is +1 and if all the three electrons i.e., ns2 np1 take part in bonding, the oxidation state is +3. Hence, the expected oxidation states are +1 and +3.