JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3df211
Neptunium (Z = 93, [Rn]5f46d17s2) reaches the highest oxidation state shown by actinoids. The oxidation state and the number of 5f electrons left on the metal ion in that state are respectively
A+7 and 0
B+7 and 4
C+5 and 2
D+6 and 1
Answer: A
Np has 4 + 1 + 2 = 7 electrons outside the radon core, so the maximum state is +7 and all of them are removed, leaving NpX7+ with the radon core (5f0). The +5 and +6 states would retain 5f2 and 5f1 respectively.