Question

Discuss the pattern of variation in the oxidation state of the following:

Si to Pb

Answer 1

1. Silicon (Si) mainly shows +4 state, with an occasional +2 state due to its ability to lose four electrons.
2. Moving down the group, oxidation states +2 and +4 are commonly observed in these elements.
3. The +4 state is dominant for elements like Si, Ge, and Sn (tin), but the stability of +2 state increases from Sn to Pb.
4. Lead (Pb) mainly exhibits +2 state because the inert pair effect stabilizes the two 6s electrons, making +4 less stable.
5. The inert pair effect increases down the group, causing a gradual decrease in the stability of the +4 oxidation state.

Hence, from Si to Pb, oxidation state variation changes from mainly +4 to predominantly +2 due to the inert pair effect.