[marcelgluch]

Which is more stable lead in +2 or in +4??

What I think is that Lead is more stable in the +2, but that is mainly because I found something about it in the text book. But I cannot figure out why it is more stable. Could anyone please kindly tell me if I am right or not, and if I am right why is the +2 state more stable. Because from a previous question I noticed that Sn is stable in +2 or +4, why would Pb only be stable in +2??

Thank you.

[AWK]

Check standard electrode potential for Sn⁴⁺ to Sn²⁺ and Pb⁴⁺ to Pb²⁺. What these data implicate?

[darko]

standard electrode potential is result, not the cause. try to explain stability of Pb cations with "inert pair" concept