Real and Virtual Degrees of Oxidation of d Elements in Coordination Compounds

The "degree of oxidation" or "state of oxidation" are extremely long-lived concepts in inorganic and coordination chemistry. In this paper such concepts as real and virtual degrees of oxidation are introduced, and possible ways of using them for the production of new materials are demonstrated. The concepts are undoubtedly related in the closest manner to coordination chemistry. The degrees of oxidation of elements of the transfermium group are examined, and this provides the possibility of predicting the degrees of oxidation of these elements. It was found that the d5, d7, d9 elements do not form coordination compounds with an overall negative electric charge.