What are the common oxidation states of tin metal?

1 Answer
May 15, 2017

Typically tin adopts two oxidation states.......

Explanation:

#"Stannous ion"# is #Sn^(2+)#, and #SnCl_2# is #"stannous chloride"# (insert #"Game of Thrones"# reference here!).

#"Stannic ion"# is #Sn^(4+)#, and #SnCl_4# is #"stannic chloride"#, which is a volatile liquid.

Likewise, #"titanic chloride"#, and #"titanous chloride"# are #TiCl_4(l)#, and #TiCl_2(s)# respectively. But don't get confused. #Ti# represents titanium metal, and #Sn# represent #"stannum"#, i.e. #"tin"#.