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Which oxidation states are most common for bismuth?
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bismuth
Properties of bismuth.
The most common oxidation states for bismuth are +3 and +5.1
While bismuth atoms can exhibit a +3 or -3 oxidation state through the formation of three single covalent bonds, the +3 state is standard. Conversely, the +5 oxidation state is considered rare and unstable, a result of the element's relatively low electronegativity and the inert nature of its lone pair of electrons.1