Given below are two statements regarding the properties of hydrogen halides: Statement I: The reducing character of hydrogen halides increases in the order HF HCl HBr HI . Statement II: The boiling points of hydrogen halides follow the regular trend HF HCl HBr HI due to a continuous increase in van der Waals forces down the group. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the optio

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Statement I: The reducing character of hydrogen halides depends on the bond dissociation enthalpy of the H-X bond. As the size of the halogen atom increases from F to I , the H-X bond length increases and the bond dissociation enthalpy decreases. Consequently, the ease of releasing hydrogen increases, making HI the strongest reducing agent and HF the weakest. Thus, the reducing character increases in the order HF HCl HBr HI . Statement I is correct. Statement II: The boiling points of hydrogen halides do not follow