oxidation state

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. the state of an element or ion in a compound with regard to the electrons gained or lost by the element or ion in the reaction that formed the compound, expressed as a positive or negative number indicating the ionic charge of the element or ion.

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oxidation state Scientific  

1. See valence

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Etymology

Origin of oxidation state

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oxidation state

"Uranium usually occurs with a valency of 4 or 6. Pentavalent uranium does exist, but it is rare or only transient. Until now, it had been seen in an unstable oxidation state," explains Newman-Portela.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

To verify that manganese and iron truly remained in the intended oxidation state, Almishal collaborated with researchers at Virginia Tech.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2025

This study also shows the ability to turn on and off this contact by using light to change the oxidation state of the ferrocene, demonstrating a light-switchable ferrocene-based single-molecule device.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 5, 2024

Tin and lead form the stable divalent cations, Sn2+ and Pb2+, with oxidation states two below the group oxidation state of 4+.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

In chemical reactions, these metals readily lose both valence electrons to form compounds in which they exhibit an oxidation state of 2+.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019