JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry

2026mcqhard

The electronegativity of a group 13 element 'E' is same as that of Ge (on Pauling scale and upto one decimal point). The CORRECT statements about $E^{3+}$ are

A. It can act as a reducing agent.

B. It can act as an oxidizing agent.

C. $E^{3+}$ is more stable than $E^+$ .

D. The standard electrode potential value for $E^{3+}/E$ is positive.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Official previous-year question

Held on 4 Apr 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.

Options

A
A and C Only
B
B and C Only
C
B and D Only
D
A and D Only

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Solution

The electronegativity of Ge on the Pauling scale is $1.8$ . In Group 13, the electronegativity values are B ( $2.0$ ), Al ( $1.5$ ), Ga ( $1.6$ ), In ( $1.7$ ), and Tl ( $1.8$ ). Thus, the element 'E' is Thallium (Tl).

Due to the inert pair effect, the $+1$ oxidation state is much more stable than the $+3$ oxidation state for the heavier elements of Group 13, especially Thallium. Therefore, $Tl^+$ is more stable than $Tl^{3+}$ . This makes statement C incorrect.

Since $Tl^{3+}$ is relatively unstable, it readily accepts two electrons to form the more stable $Tl^+$ ion ( $Tl^{3+} + 2e^- \rightarrow Tl^+$ ). Because it undergoes reduction easily, $Tl^{3+}$ acts as a strong oxidizing agent. This makes statement A incorrect and statement B correct.

The standard electrode potential for the reduction of $Tl^{3+}$ to Tl ( $E^{\circ}_{Tl^{3+}/Tl}$ ) is $+1.26\text{ V}$ , which is a positive value. This makes statement D correct.

Therefore, only statements B and D are correct.

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Solution

The standard electrode potential for the reduction of $Tl^{3+}$ to Tl ( $E^{\circ}_{Tl^{3+}/Tl}$ ) is $+1.26\text{ V}$ , which is a positive value. This makes statement D correct.

Therefore, only statements B and D are correct.

JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry

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JEE Main 2026 — Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry

Options

Did you get this right?

Solution

Your note

JEE Main Inorganic Chemistry in other years

More JEE Main Inorganic Chemistry questions

Other Chemistry topics for JEE Main

Physical Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Keep practicing Inorganic Chemistry