Consider the Frost diagram (a plot of vs. Oxidation State) provided for a hypothetical element. Based strictly on the visual topology of the provided diagram, which of the following oxidation states i

Question

Consider the Frost diagram (a plot of $nE^\circ$ vs. Oxidation State) provided for a hypothetical element. Based strictly on the visual topology of the provided diagram, which of the following oxidation states is thermodynamically the LEAST stable with respect to disproportionation?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. In a Frost diagram, a chemical species located at a local "peak" or maximum (convex point) relative to its immediate neighbors is thermodynamically unstable and will spontaneously disproportionate into the species with neighboring oxidation states. The graph demonstrates that the +2 state is at such a peak.

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