Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I) : Oxygen being the first member of group 16 exhibits only –2 oxidation state.
Statement (II) : Down the group 16 stability of +4 oxidation state decreases and +6 oxidation state increases.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To assess the veracity of the provided statements concerning the oxidation states of Group 16 elements, a detailed examination is required.

1. Statement (I): Oxygen, as the first member of group 16, exclusively exhibits a –2 oxidation state.
   • Oxygen is indeed the inaugural element of Group 16. While it most commonly displays a –2 oxidation state in its compounds, this is not exclusive. For instance, in peroxides such as \(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\), oxygen's oxidation state is –1. Furthermore, in compounds like \(\text{OF}_2\), oxygen exhibits a +2 oxidation state.
   • Consequently, Statement (I) is deemed incorrect due to the demonstrated variability in oxygen's oxidation states.
2. Statement (II): The stability of the +4 oxidation state diminishes down group 16, while the stability of the +6 oxidation state increases.
   • Within Group 16, comprising Oxygen, Sulfur, Selenium, Tellurium, and Polonium, the stability of oxidation states varies across the elements.
   • Moving vertically down the group, the propensity for elements to achieve a +6 oxidation state generally decreases, primarily due to the inert pair effect, which becomes more pronounced in the heavier elements. In contrast, the +4 oxidation state is observed to be more stable in the heavier Group 16 elements, such as Selenium and Tellurium, relative to the +6 state.
   • Therefore, Statement (II) is incorrect. The stability trend described is the inverse of the observed behavior.

Based on the foregoing analysis, it is concluded that both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect. Accordingly, the correct determination is:

Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect

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