Which is a stronger reducing agent Cr2+ or Fe2+ and why?
Cr2+ is strong reducing agent than Fe2+.
Reason: d4 → d5 occurs in case of Cr2+ to Cr3+.
But d6 → d5 occurs in case of Fe2+ to Fe3+. In a medium (like water) d3 is more stable as compared to d5.
How would you account for the irregular variation of ionisation enthalpies (first and second) in the first series of the transition elements?