Question

GeCl₄ is more stable than GeCl₂ while PbCl₂ is more stable than PbCl₄ . Explain.

Answer 1

• Elements Ge and Pb belong to 4th and 6th period in the group 14. 
• The group oxidation state of group 14 elements is +4.
• However, the stability of other oxidation state which is lower by 2 units i.e., +2, increases down the group due to inert pair effect.
• Therefore, the stability of the oxidation state +4 is more in Ge than in Pb while the stability of the oxidation state +2 is more in Pb than in Ge.

Hence, GeCl₄ is more stable than GeCl₂ while PbCl₂ is more stable than PbCl₄