Which of the following is an incorrect statement ?

Options

A. Fluorine is highly reactive
B. HF molecules form intermolecular H-bond
C. Halogens show only (-I) oxidation state
D. Halogens are strong oxidizing agent

Answer

To solve the question, we need to analyze each statement provided and determine which one is incorrect.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Statement 1: Fluorine is highly reactive.**
- **Analysis:** Fluorine is indeed highly reactive. It is the smallest element in the halogen group and has an electron configuration of 2s² 2p⁵, which means it is one electron short of achieving a stable noble gas configuration (2s² 2p⁶). Due to its small size, it has a strong attraction for electrons, making it very reactive.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **correct**.

2. **Statement 2: HF molecules form intermolecular hydrogen bonding.**
- **Analysis:** Hydrogen fluoride (HF) does form hydrogen bonds due to the presence of hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom, fluorine. The strong electronegativity of fluorine allows it to attract the hydrogen atom from another HF molecule, leading to hydrogen bonding.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **correct**.

3. **Statement 3: Halogens show only –1 oxidation state.**
- **Analysis:** This statement is incorrect. While fluorine (the most electronegative halogen) indeed predominantly shows a –1 oxidation state when it gains one electron, other halogens (like chlorine, bromine, and iodine) can exhibit multiple oxidation states, including +1, +3, +5, and +7. For example, iodine can have a +7 oxidation state in compounds like iodine heptafluoride (IF₇).
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Statement 4: Halogens are strong oxidizing agents.**
- **Analysis:** Halogens are known to be strong oxidizing agents because they have high electron affinities and readily gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This allows them to oxidize other substances while being reduced themselves.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **correct**.

### Final Answer:
The incorrect statement is **Statement 3: Halogens show only –1 oxidation state**.