Question

The decrease in stability of higher oxidation states in p-block with increasing atomic number is due to :

• A. increase in bond energy on going down the group
• B. the reluctance of electrons of s-sub shell to participate in chemical bonding
• C. poor screening effect of d-orbitals
• D. none of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B the reluctance of electrons of s-sub shell to participate in chemical bonding

The inert pair effect is the tendency of the electrons in the outermost atomic s orbital to remain unionized or unshared in compounds of post-transition metals. Down the group in the p-block, the inert pair effect becomes more pronounced on account of enhanced increase in effective nuclear charge. Therefore, due to reluctance of electrons of s-subshell to participate in chemical bonding, there occurs a decrease in stability of higher oxidation states in p-block with increasing atomic number.