MHT CET Medical202622 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in PropertiesActual
Which among the following elements does NOT exhibit -2 oxidation state?
Options
- AO
- BSe
- CTe
- DPo
Correct answer
D. Po
Step-by-step solution
The given elements belong to Group 16 of the periodic table. The tendency to exhibit a -2 oxidation state decreases down the group due to an increase in atomic size, a decrease in electronegativity, and an increase in metallic character. Oxygen, Selenium, and Tellurium are non-metals/metalloids and readily exhibit a -2 oxidation state. Polonium (Po) is a radioactive metal with low electronegativity. Therefore, it hardly exhibits a -2 oxidation state. Its common oxidation states are +2 and +4 . Answer: Po