High-valent iron

High-valent iron refers to iron in oxidation states greater than +3. In typical chemistry, iron commonly exists in the +2 (ferrous) and +3 (ferric) states, but in certain special cases and in specific chemical environments, iron can exhibit higher oxidation states, such as +4, +5, or even +6. These high-valent states are often less stable and can be highly reactive, typically requiring specific ligands or conditions to stabilize them.