Question
What are the two important oxidation states of group 16 elements in the periodic table?
Solution
Group 16 elements show oxidation property, the stability of -2 oxidation state decreases down the group.
Polonium hardly shows –2 oxidation state. Since electronegativity of oxygen is very high, it shows only negative oxidation state as –2 except in the case of OF2 where its oxidation state is + 2. Other elements of the group exhibit + 2, + 4, + 6 oxidation states but + 4 and + 6 are more common. Sulphur, selenium and tellurium usually show + 4 oxidation state in their compounds with oxygen and + 6 with fluorine.
