oxidation state

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.

oxidation state

1. See valence

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxidation state¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

"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

This is independent of the oxidation state or petrological type of the chondrites.

From Nature

The redox flexibility of transition-metal complexes combined with the sensitivity of their geometry to oxidation state presents opportunities for coupling light absorption with multi-electron chemistry.

From Nature

Diffusion rates depend not only on the element and mineral in question, but on the temperature, pressure, and oxidation state the crystal experienced, which researchers estimate from other clues in the crystals.

From Science Magazine