JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3pb122
Assertion (A): PbClX4 is less stable than PbClX2 and decomposes on gentle heating to PbClX2 and ClX2. Reason (R): The 6s2 electrons of Pb are held tightly (inert pair effect), so the +2 state is favoured over +4.
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true
Answer: A
A is true: PbClX4PbClX2+ClX2. R is true and is exactly the reason, since Pb(IV) needs the unwilling 6s2 pair to participate and is therefore a strong oxidant that reverts to Pb(II).