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 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 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

"This is an unusual observation for a molecular system based on manganese in its oxidation state +IV. Even with noble metals emission in this energy region is essentially unprecedented," said Professor Katja Heinze.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024

The stability of this oxidation state is a consequence of the inert pair effect.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

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

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019