Among the following oxides, which one is weakly basic and yet a powerful oxidant?
Among the following oxides, which one is weakly basic and yet a powerful oxidant?
\(\mathrm{CO}_2\)
\(\mathrm{SnO}_2\)
\(\mathrm{SiO}_2\)
\(\mathrm{PbO}_2\)
Solution
For the dioxides of group- 14 elements \(\left(\mathrm{CO}_2, \mathrm{SiO}_2, \mathrm{GeO}_2\right.\) and \(\left.\mathrm{PbO}_2\right), \mathrm{PbO}_2\) is most basic in nature. Again, in oxidation state \(\mathrm{Pb}\) in +4 , which is less \(\mathrm{PbO}_2\) stable than its +2 state because of inert pair effect.
So, \(\mathrm{Pb}^{4+}\) of \(\mathrm{PbO}_2\) has a tendency to be reduced into more stable \(\mathrm{Pb}^{2+}\) (PbO) showing strong oxidising nature of \(\mathrm{PbO}_2\).