(a) Lead belongs to group fourteen of the periodic table. The two oxidation states displayed by this group is +2 and +4. On moving down the group, the +2 oxidation state becomes more stable and the +4 oxidation state becomes less stable. This is because of the inert pair effect. Hence, PbCl4 is much less stable than PbCl2. However, the formation of PbCl4 takes place when chlorine gas is bubbled through a saturated solution of PlCl2.
(b) On moving down group IV, the higher oxidation state becomes unstable because of the inert pair effect. Pb(IV) is highly unstable and when heated, it reduces to Pb(II).
(c) Lead is known not to form PbI4. Pb (+4) is oxidizing in nature and I is reducing in nature. A combination of Pb(IV) and iodide ion is not stable. Iodide ion is strongly reducing in nature. Pb(IV) oxidizes I– to I2 and itself gets reduced to Pb(II).
PbI4→PbI2+I2.
