The stability of dihalides of Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb increases steadily in which sequence? — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Moving down group 14, the $ns^2$ electrons become increasingly reluctant to participate in bonding due to poor shielding by d and f orbitals (inert pair effect). This makes the +2 oxidation state progressively more stable, so $PbX_2$ is the most stable.