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

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

To stabilize these ceramics, manganese and iron atoms must remain in the 2+ oxidation state, forming what is known as a rock salt structure where each atom bonds with only two oxygen atoms.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2025

"This is because the iridium resulting from this interaction was in the rare and highly active +6 oxidation state."

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2024

Silicon has the valence shell electron configuration 3s23p2, and it commonly forms tetrahedral structures in which it is sp3 hybridized with a formal oxidation state of 4+.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Most mercury compounds contain mercury with a 2+- oxidation state.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019