Paper: CSIR-NET June 2012 · Subject: Inorganic Chemistry · Chapter: Main Group Elements · Topic: Main Group Elements – General · Marks: 2 · Difficulty: Medium
Low oxidation state complexes are often air-sensitive, but are rarely water sensitive because
(a)Air is reducing in nature while water is inert
(b)Both air and water are oxidizing in nature
(c)Both air and water are not acceptors
(d)Complexes with low oxidation states will easily lose electrons to $\mathrm{O}_{2}$ but will not bind to a $\pi$-donor molecule like $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$.
Answer
Answer: D ✓ checked by 4AB · confidence high
The source book printed no answer; this one was worked out and checked — see the explanation.
Explanation
O₂ is an oxidant and a π-acceptor that readily takes electrons from electron-rich low-valent metals; water is neither oxidising under normal conditions nor a π-acceptor, so it usually leaves such complexes alone.