Question

(12) Give reason
H₂Te is the strongest reducing agent amongst all the hydrides of Group 16 elements.

Answer 1

H₂Te is the strongest reducing agent among the hydrides of group 16. Size of Te is very large due to which the bonding between Hydrogen and Te is not strong. On the other hand the electronegativity of Te is very less. So, it will easily lose hydrogen.
Reducing character is determined by the ease with which it can lose H⁺ ions. So, the reducing character increases down the group and H₂Te is the strongest reducing agent among all hydrides of group 16.