Which of the following is not correct?

Options

A. `Ge(OH)_2` is amphoteric
B. `Ge Cl_2` is more stable than `GeCl_4`
C. `GeO_2` is weakly acidic
D. `GeCl_4` in HCl forms `[GeCl_6]^(2-)` ion

Explanation

To determine which of the following statements is not correct, we will analyze each statement one by one:

### Step 1: Analyze Statement A
**Statement A:** "Germanium hydroxide is amphoteric."

- **Explanation:** Germanium hydroxide (Ge(OH)₂) can react with both acids and bases.
- When reacting with an acid (e.g., HCl), it forms germanium chloride (GeCl₄) and water:
\[ \text{Ge(OH)}_2 + 2 \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{GeCl}_4 + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- When reacting with a base (e.g., NaOH), it forms sodium germanate (Na₂GeO₃) and water:
\[ \text{Ge(OH)}_2 + 2 \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{GeO}_3 + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- **Conclusion:** Statement A is correct.

### Step 2: Analyze Statement B
**Statement B:** "GeCl₂ is more stable than GeCl₄."

- **Explanation:** In the carbon group, germanium can exhibit +2 and +4 oxidation states. The stability of these oxidation states generally follows the order:
- For +4: Ge⁴⁺ > Sn⁴⁺ > Pb⁴⁺
- For +2: Pb²⁺ > Sn²⁺ > Ge²⁺
- The +4 oxidation state of germanium (GeCl₄) is more stable than the +2 oxidation state (GeCl₂) due to the inert pair effect, which stabilizes the +2 state as we move down the group.
- **Conclusion:** Statement B is incorrect.

### Step 3: Analyze Statement C
**Statement C:** "GeO₂ is slightly acidic."

- **Explanation:** As we move down the group, the metallic character increases, and thus the tendency to form basic oxides increases while the tendency to form acidic oxides decreases. However, GeO₂ is known to exhibit slight acidity due to its covalent character.
- **Conclusion:** Statement C is correct.

### Step 4: Analyze Statement D
**Statement D:** "GeCl₄ in HCl forms a complex."

- **Explanation:** When GeCl₄ reacts with excess HCl, it can form a complex ion, GeCl₆²⁻, due to the presence of vacant d-orbitals in germanium, allowing it to expand its covalency.
- **Conclusion:** Statement D is correct.

### Final Conclusion
The statement that is not correct is **Statement B**: "GeCl₂ is more stable than GeCl₄."

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