Which of the following compound has reducing character?
Which of the following compound has reducing character?
$\mathrm{SO}_2$
$\mathrm{TeO}_2$
$\mathrm{SO}_3$
$\mathrm{TeO}_3$
Solution
$\mathrm{SO}_2$ shows reducing character because
+6 oxidation state of $S$ is more stable than its
+4 oxidation state.
$\mathrm{TeO}_2$ shows oxidising character because its
+4 oxidation state is more stable due to inert pair effect.
$\mathrm{SO}_3$ and $\mathrm{TeO}_3$ do not shows reducing character because $S$ and Te are in +6 oxidation state, which is their highest oxidation state.