Question

Give reasons for the decrease in stability of +6 oxidation state and increase in +4 oxidation state of group 16 elements.

Answer 1

Group 16 elements show two different oxidation state +4, +6. While going down, the group 16 elements show only +4 oxidation state. This is due to inert pair effect, which is due to shielding effect the inner s orbital are not involved in bonding. That is why they show less oxidation state.