Question
Question: Which of the following halides is least stable and has doubtful existence?...
Which of the following halides is least stable and has doubtful existence?
A
CI4
B
GeI4
C
SnI4
D
PbI4
Answer
PbI4
Explanation
Solution
Pb+4 acts as an oxidising agent due to inert pair effect. In larger I– , valence shell electrons are loosely held by nucleus so acts as reducing agent. As a result Pb+4 oxidises I– to I2 and itself reduced to Pb or Pb2+.