Polonium is "distinctly metallic" in some ways. Both of its allotropic forms are metallic conductors. It is soluble in acids, forming the rose-coloured Po cation and displacing hydrogen: Po + 2 H → Po + H 2. Many polonium salts are known. The oxide PoO 2 is predominantly basic in nature. Polonium is a reluctant oxidizing agent, unlike its lightest congener oxygen: highly reducing conditions are required for the formation of the Po anion in aqueous solution.