JEE MainChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
Consider the following statements regarding Group 14 elements and their compounds: (A) SnO ₂ and PbO ₂ are amphoteric oxides. (B) PbO ₂ is a strong oxidizing agent because the +4 oxidation state of Pb is less stable than the +2 state. (C) Silicon forms the complex [ SiF ₆]²⁻ whereas carbon cannot form [ CF ₆]²⁻ . (D) The acidic character of dioxides increases down the group. Choose the correct combination of statemen
Options
- A(A), (C) and (D) only
- B(A), (B) and (C) only
- C(B), (C) and (D) only
- D(A) and (B) only
Correct answer
B. (A), (B) and (C) only
Step-by-step solution
Statement (A) is correct. The dioxides of carbon and silicon ( CO ₂ , SiO ₂ ) are acidic, GeO ₂ is distinctly acidic but weakly amphoteric, while SnO ₂ and PbO ₂ are amphoteric in nature. Statement (B) is correct. Due to the inert pair effect, the +2 oxidation state is more stable than the +4 state for lead. Thus, PbO ₂ readily gets reduced to Pb ²⁺ , acting as a strong oxidizing agent. Statement (C) is correct. Silicon has vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell, allowing it to expand its coordination number to 6 a