What type of oxidation numbers are commonly associated with metals?

Metals are primarily characterized by their tendency to lose electrons, which results in the formation of positive oxidation numbers. This behavior is due to the relatively low ionization energies of metals, allowing them to easily give up one or more electrons during chemical reactions. For example, alkali metals like sodium have an oxidation number of +1 because they lose one electron, while alkaline earth metals like magnesium typically have an oxidation number of +2 due to the loss of two electrons.

While some metals can exhibit varied oxidation states—transition metals in particular can have multiple positive oxidation states—these states are ultimately still positive. Therefore, it is most accurate to say that the oxidation numbers commonly associated with metals are positive. In contrast, nonmetals, particularly in anions, often exhibit negative oxidation states, while neutral oxidation states are generally not associated with metals' ionic behavior in compounds. Thus, the association between metals and positive oxidation numbers is a fundamental characteristic of their chemical nature.