Tag: Iron oxidation states

According to the IUPAC naming convention, the Roman numeral in a compound's name directly indicates its oxidation state. So, yes, iron(III) is indeed in a higher oxidation state than iron(II), and this difference profoundly affects the element's chemical properties.

Iron, a transition metal with the atomic number 26, is essential for life but is most commonly found in two primary oxidation states, +2 and +3. This article clarifies why asking if 'iron 3' is better than 'iron 1' is based on a fundamental chemical misunderstanding, and focuses instead on the properties of iron(III) versus the biologically relevant iron(II).