Which metal exhibits multiple oxidation states and forms highly colored compounds and ions such as permanganate and dichromate?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Transition metals, located in the d-block of the periodic table, exhibit variable oxidation states and form deeply colored ions due to the presence of partially filled d-orbitals and d-d electron transitions. Alkali metals like sodium and alkaline earth metals like calcium generally exhibit fixed oxidation states and form colorless compounds.