Question

Why SnCl2 acts as reducing agent?

Answer 1

This is due to inert pair effect..i.e. down the group lower oxidation state becomes more stable then higher OS. ... So to achieve both these more stable states one needs to loose and other needs to gain electron which will make sn2+ a reducing agent n pb4+ an oxidising agent.

Answer 2

Hey dear,

● SnCl2 acts as reducing agent because -

• Sn has electronic configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p2.
• Sn doesn't exhibit inert pair effect & thus higher oxidation state is more stable.
• Sn4+ is more stable than Sn2+.
• SnCl2 readily reacts with other compounds & get converted to stable SnCl4.
• During the reaction, SnCl2 gets oxidised while other compound is reduced.
• Thus, SnCl2 is a good reducing agent.

Hope this was helpful..