Oxidation Numbers
- Fluorine has an oxidation number of -1
- Chlorine can have multiple oxidation numbers such as -1, +1, 3, 5, and 7
- Bromine can have multiple oxidation numbers of -1, +1, 3, 4, and 5
- Iodine can have multiple oxidation numbers of -1, +1, 5, and 7
- Astatine can have multiple oxidation numbers such as -1, +1, 3, 5, and 7
Oxidizing Reactions
- Fluorine is too strong a oxidizing agent that it oxidizes water into oxygen and therefore reactions cannot be carried out
- Chlorine can oxidize bromine ions in for example potassium bromide solution into bromine Cl2 + 2Br- --> 2Cl- + Br2
- Chlorine can oxidize iodine ions into iodine
- Bromine can oxidize iodine ions into iodine
- Iodine will not be able to oxidize any halide ions
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Descriptive_Chemistry/p-Block_Elements/Group_17%3A_The_Halogenshttp://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/group7/halogensasoas.html