The oxidation state (OS) concept is arguably one of the most useful formalisms in chemistry. OSs are used to explain catalytic behavior at a variety of transition metal (TM) centers.[1] They are also used to interpret a wide variety of spectroscopic results, such as the structure of electron paramagnetic resonance, UV-visible, and Mössbauer spectra.[2, 3] More broadly, the OS concept aids in categorizing the behavior of TMs in a general way, enabling its use as both a predictive and postdictive tool in chemical reactions. Indeed, inorganic chemists still use the masterfully organized-often by OS-tome, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, as a way of rationalizing the chemistry of TM complexes.[4] However, while tremendously useful from a categorization perspective, the OS concept continues to inspire debate within the chemical community.[5-10] Recent exchanges show just how far the debate has gone: two competing points of view
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