Question

Inert pair effect is predominant in:

Answer 1

Inert pair effect:-

• The two electrons at the outermost atomic $\mathrm{s}$-orbital tend to remain unshared in compounds of post-transition metals, which is known as the inert-pair effect.
• The "inert pair effect" is a term used to describe the higher stability of oxidation states for heavier elements that are two less than the group valency.

Inert pair effect is predominant in:-

• The tendency of the inner $\mathrm{ns}$ electrons to not participate in chemical bonding grows as we travel from carbon$\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ to lead$\left(\mathrm{Pb}\right)$ in the group, because of the increase in size which makes the inert pair effect in lead $\left(\mathrm{Pb}\right)$ more pronounced.
• Therefore, $\mathrm{Pb}$ has a higher propensity to exhibit the inert pair effect.
• Pb is more stable in a $+2$ oxidation state than in a $+4$ oxidation state.

The inert pair effect is predominant in lead$\left(\mathrm{Pb}\right)$