Question

What are the two most common oxidation states for antimony?

Answer 1

The two most common oxidation states for antimony (Sb) are +3 and +5.

Explanation:

In the mineral stibnite, `"Sb"_2"S"_3"`, the antimony oxidation state is +3.

Antimony also forms trihalides and pentahalides, such as `"SbF"_3`, where its oxidation state is +3, and `"SbF"_5`, where its oxidation state is +5.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony#Precautions

Answer 2

Antimony compounds are often classified
according to their oxidation state.

The two most common are Sb(III) and Sb(V).

Explanation:

Here is more information about antimony

• Antimony is a chemical element with symbol `Sb`
  (from Latin: stibium)
• Its atomic number is 51
• It's a lustrous gray metalloid
• It has a Mohs scale hardness of 3, which is too soft to make hard objects
• Antimony is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite `(Sb_2S_3)`,
  but also as valentinite `(Sb_2O_3)`

Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times.

They were were powdered for use as medicine and cosmetics, often known by the Arabic name `kohl`.

Here's an image of a little girl with kohl around her eyes

https://ww2.kqed.org/stateofhealth/2012/08/22/lead-in-eye-cosmetic-and-other-kinds-of-makeup/

Coins of antimony were issued in China's Guizhou province in 1931,
but it is too soft for coins.
The minting was soon discontinued because the durability
of these coins was poor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony#Applications

Current uses for antimony include

• Diodes and infrared detectors
• As an alloy with lead to increase lead's durability
• Batteries
• Flame-proofing materials
• Paints
• Ceramic enamels, glass, and pottery

You can find out more technical information about antimony here:
https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele051.html