Answer to Question #162175 in Organic Chemistry for Mary

Question

My question is the following:

"Low-oxidation-state complexes are often air sensitive (i.e., they react with the oxygen in the air) but are rarely water sensitive. Why do you think this is so?"

Answer 1

This is because complexes with low oxidation states will easily lose electrons to oxygen molecule in the air but will not bind to water which is a π-donor molecule.