Passage-IV : Sulphur and rest of the elements of group 16 are less electronegative than oxygen. Therefore, theiratoms cannot take up electrons easily. They can acquire ns^(2)np^(6) configurationby sharing two electrons with the atoms of other elements and thus, exhibit +2 oxidation state in their compounds. In addition to this, their atoms have vacant d-orbitals in their valence shell to which electronscan be promoted from the p and s-orbitals of the shell. As a result, they can show +4 and +6 oxidation states shell. The nature of the compounds of sulphur having +4 oxidation state is :

Passage-IV : Sulphur and rest of the elements of group 16 are less el

1.	Passage-IV : Sulphur and rest of the elements of group 16 are less electronegative than oxygen. Therefore, theiratoms cannot take up electrons easily. They can acquire ns^(2)np^(6) configurationby sharing two electrons with the atoms of other elements and thus, exhibit +2 oxidation state in their compounds. In addition to this, their atoms have vacant d-orbitals in their valence shell to which electronscan be promoted from the p and s-orbitals of the shell. As a result, they can show +4 and +6 oxidation states shell. The nature of the compounds of sulphur having +4 oxidation state is :
Answer» ACT as oxidizing AGENTS act as reducing agents act as oxidizing as well as reducing agents cannot be predicted SOLUTION :It is in intermediateoxidation STATE it may increase (or) decrease. Therefore it act as oxidizing agent and also reducing agent.