Back to Directory
NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Which one of the following ions is the most stable in an aqueous solution? (At. No. Ti = 22, V = 23, Cr = 24, Mn = 25)

A

Cr³⁺

B

V³⁺

C

Ti³⁺

D

Mn³⁺

Step-by-Step Solution

The stability of ions in aqueous solution depends on their electrode potentials and electronic configurations, particularly considering Crystal Field Theory (CFT).

  1. Chromium (Cr3+Cr^{3+}): Electronic configuration is [Ar]3d3[Ar] 3d^3. In an aqueous solution, water molecules act as ligands creating an octahedral field. The 3d3d orbitals split into t2gt_{2g} and ege_g sets. The 3d33d^3 configuration results in a half-filled t2g3t_{2g}^3 level, which provides significant extra stability (Crystal Field Stabilization Energy) . Consequently, Cr3+Cr^{3+} is highly stable.
  2. Manganese (Mn3+Mn^{3+}): Electronic configuration is [Ar]3d4[Ar] 3d^4. It is a strong oxidising agent because it tends to gain an electron to form the stable half-filled 3d53d^5 configuration of Mn2+Mn^{2+} . Thus, it is less stable than Cr3+Cr^{3+}.
  3. Titanium (Ti3+Ti^{3+}): Electronic configuration is [Ar]3d1[Ar] 3d^1. It is a reducing agent, tending to lose an electron to form the stable noble gas configuration of Ti4+Ti^{4+} (3d03d^0).
  4. Vanadium (V3+V^{3+}): Electronic configuration is [Ar]3d2[Ar] 3d^2. While relatively stable, it does not possess the special stability of the half-filled t2gt_{2g} shell found in Cr3+Cr^{3+}.
Practice Mode Available

Master this Topic on Sushrut

Join thousands of students and practice with AI-generated mock tests.

Get Started