Which one amongst the following are good oxidizing agents?
(A) $ \text{Sm}^{\text{2+}}$
(B) $\text{Ce}^{\text{2+}}$
(C)$ \text{Ce}^{\text{4+}}$
(D) $\text{Tb}^{\text{4+}}$
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Question

Statement-I : Consider the following pairs of ions $(\text{Sc}^{3+}, \text{Ti}^{3+}), (\text{Ti}^{4+}, \text{Ni}^{2+}), (\text{Cu}^{2+}, \text{Zn}^{2+})$ and $(\text{Cr}^{3+}, \text{Mn}^{3+})$. Out of these pairs three pairs consist of ions that are both coloured :
Statement-II : Among the lanthanide ions $\text{Eu}^{2+}$, $\text{Gd}^{3+}$, $\text{Ce}^{4+}$ and $\text{Tb}^{4+}$, the ion $\text{Tb}^{4+}$ is the strongest reducing agent.
Choose the correct option.

Answer 1

To determine which among the given ions are good oxidizing agents, we need to understand the concept of oxidation states and the role of oxidizing agents.

An oxidizing agent gains electrons and, in the process, gets reduced. This implies that a species capable of accepting electrons (from other species) is an oxidizing agent. Typically, the higher the oxidation state of an element, the more it tends to gain electrons, and hence, better as an oxidizing agent.

$\text{Sm}^{\text{2+}}$: Samarium in the Sm²⁺ state is in a lower oxidation state compared to its +3 state, which is more stable. Therefore, Sm²⁺ would prefer to lose electrons (be oxidized) and is not a good oxidizing agent.
$\text{Ce}^{\text{2+}}$: Cerium typically exists in the +3 and +4 oxidation states. The Ce²⁺ ion is less stable compared to Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺. Therefore, it is not very effective as an oxidizing agent as it tends to lose electrons to become Ce³⁺.
$\text{Ce}^{\text{4+}}$: Cerium in the Ce⁴⁺ state is in a high oxidation state and can effectively gain electrons to revert to its more stable +3 oxidation state. Thus, Ce⁴⁺ is a good oxidizing agent.
$\text{Tb}^{\text{4+}}$: Terbium in the Tb⁴⁺ state has the possibility to gain electrons to reach the more stable Tb³⁺ state. It can function as an oxidizing agent by accepting electrons.

Based on the above analysis, the good oxidizing agents among the options are Ce⁴⁺ and Tb⁴⁺. Therefore, the correct answer is: C and D only.

Answer 2

To determine which among the given ions are good oxidizing agents, we need to understand the concept of oxidation states and the role of oxidizing agents.

An oxidizing agent gains electrons and, in the process, gets reduced. This implies that a species capable of accepting electrons (from other species) is an oxidizing agent. Typically, the higher the oxidation state of an element, the more it tends to gain electrons, and hence, better as an oxidizing agent.

$\text{Sm}^{\text{2+}}$: Samarium in the Sm²⁺ state is in a lower oxidation state compared to its +3 state, which is more stable. Therefore, Sm²⁺ would prefer to lose electrons (be oxidized) and is not a good oxidizing agent.
$\text{Ce}^{\text{2+}}$: Cerium typically exists in the +3 and +4 oxidation states. The Ce²⁺ ion is less stable compared to Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺. Therefore, it is not very effective as an oxidizing agent as it tends to lose electrons to become Ce³⁺.
$\text{Ce}^{\text{4+}}$: Cerium in the Ce⁴⁺ state is in a high oxidation state and can effectively gain electrons to revert to its more stable +3 oxidation state. Thus, Ce⁴⁺ is a good oxidizing agent.
$\text{Tb}^{\text{4+}}$: Terbium in the Tb⁴⁺ state has the possibility to gain electrons to reach the more stable Tb³⁺ state. It can function as an oxidizing agent by accepting electrons.

Based on the above analysis, the good oxidizing agents among the options are Ce⁴⁺ and Tb⁴⁺. Therefore, the correct answer is: C and D only.

Which one amongst the following are good oxidizing agents?
(A) \( \text{Sm}^{\text{2+}}\)
(B) \(\text{Ce}^{\text{2+}}\)
(C)\( \text{Ce}^{\text{4+}}\)
(D) \(\text{Tb}^{\text{4+}}\)
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Top Questions on d -and f -Block Elements

Questions Asked in JEE Main exam

Which one amongst the following are good oxidizing agents?(A) \( \text{Sm}^{\text{2+}}\)(B) \(\text{Ce}^{\text{2+}}\)(C)\( \text{Ce}^{\text{4+}}\)(D) \(\text{Tb}^{\text{4+}}\)Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: