Question

Explain why fluorine always exhibit an oxidation state of −1?

Answer 1

Fluorine the most electronegative element than other halogens and cannot exhibit any positive oxidation state. Fluorine does not have a d-orbital while other halogens have d-orbitals. Therefore fluorine always exhibit an oxidation state of −1 and others in the halogen family show +1, +3, +5 and +7 oxidation states.