A2 Chem Group 4 (14) Candidates should be able to: describe the change in relative stability of oxidation states II and IV down Group 4, as shown by reactions of CO as a reducing agent with oxides and Pb(IVas an oxidising agent in the reaction of PbO ! with concentrated hydrochloric acid" Element Oxidation State II Oxidation State IV C Example CO Example CO 2 Carbon monoxide is an exception C IV is the stable oxidation state Si II does not exist under normal Example SiCl 4 SiO 2 Si conditions Si IV is more stable than Si II Ge Example GeCl 2 Example GeCl 4 Ge II is less stable than Ge IV Ge IV is more stable than Ge II Sn Example SnCl 2 Example SnCl 4 Sn II and Sn IV have similar stabilities Sn II and Sn IV have similar stabilities Example PbCl 2 Pb(NO ! 2 Example PbO 2 Pb Pb II is more stable than Pb IV Pb II is more stable than Pb IV