JEE MainChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
Choose the INCORRECT statement regarding the elements of Group 14 and their compounds.
Options
- ACCl ₄ undergoes hydrolysis easily in water.
- BThe tendency to show catenation decreases down the group.
- CThe stability of +2 oxidation state increases in the sequence Ge < Sn < Pb .
- DCO ₂ is a gas while SiO ₂ is a solid network at room temperature.
Correct answer
A. CCl ₄ undergoes hydrolysis easily in water.
Step-by-step solution
Statement 1 is incorrect because carbon does not have vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell. Therefore, it cannot accept a lone pair of electrons from water molecules, making CCl ₄ resistant to hydrolysis. In contrast, SiCl ₄ undergoes hydrolysis easily. Statement 2 is correct. Catenation tendency depends on bond strength, and the C - C bond is much stronger than Si - Si , Ge - Ge , etc. The tendency decreases down the group. Statement 3 is correct due to the inert pair effect, which makes the lower oxidation stat