d & f-BLOCK ELEMENTS

INTRODUCTION:
2.0
d-block elements are often called as 'transition elements because their position in periodic table is between
the s-block and p-block elements.

(i) Their properties are transitional between the highly reactive metallic elements of s-block (which form ionic
compounds) and the elements of p-block (which are largely covalent).

Typically the transition elements have an incompletely filled d-orbital. A transition element may be defined as
(ii)
the element whose atorm in ground state or ion in one of common oxidation states, has partlyfilled d-sub shell
i.e. having electrons between 1 to9

(i) Group 12 (the zincgroup) elements have completely filled d-orbitals in the ground state as well as in their
commonoxidationstates. Therefore, they are not regarded as transitionelements. m , d , A

() The general electronic configuration of d-block elements is (n-1) d-10 ns2, where n is the outer most shell.
However, palladium does notfollow this general electronicconfiguration. It has electron configuration [Krps
4d10 5s0 in order to have stability.
(vi) Zn, Cd and Hg are involved in transition series but theyarecalled non transition elements due to completely
filled d-orbitals.

1st Series

Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
Z 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
4s 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2
3d
2 5 6 8 10 10

2nd Series
Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd
Z 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Ss 2
4d R 4 5 6 8 10 10 10

3rd Serie
La Hf Ta Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg
Z 257 72 75 76 77 78 79 80
6s 2
73 2
2 2 2 2
Sd 4 9 10 10
 GENERAL TRENDS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF TRANSITION ELEMENTS.

Metallic character:
they
I n d-block elements the lastbut one (i.e. the penultimate) shellofelecironsisexpanding Thus ha
many physical and chemical properties in common.
properties
metallic such as high tensile strength, ducti
() Nearly all the transition elements display typical
and metallic lustre.
malleability, high thermal and electrical conductivity

( Most transition elements have ccp/hcp type structures.

they have highenthalpy of atomisation
iv) The transition elements are very much hard and havelow volatility,
and therefore, these are very hard meta
number of unpaired electrons
Cr, Mo and Whave maximum in their respective period.
and have maximum enthalpies of atomisation
tend to be noble in ther-
of atomisation (i.e., very high boiling point)
(i) The metals with very high enthalpy
reactions.

have greater enthalpies of atomisation than the correspondirg

The metals of the 4d and 5d series
(vi) of much more frequen
factor indicating for the o c c u r r e n c e
elements of the 3d and this is an important
transition metals.
metal-metal bonding in compounds of the heavy
900

800 Series 3
Sd
700
600
Series 2
4d
500
400
Series 1
300 3d
200
100-

0
Atomic number.
Graph showing Trends in enthalples of atomisation of transition elements

(B) MELTING AND BOILNG POINTs

MP d-louk s-Houk
() Melting and boiling point of d-block > s-block

Reason:Stronger metallic bondformed present by unpaired d-electrons.

Gi) In Zn, Cd,and Hg there is no unpaired electron present in d-orbital, hence due to absence of covae
bond melting and boiling point are very low in series. (Volatile metals Zn, Cd, Hg)
In 3d series Sc to Cr meltingand boiling point increases then Mnto Zn melting and boiling point decres

As the number of unaired delectYon incfeases, the númber of cbvalent bohd and bnd energy betue
(iv)
the atoms is expectedto increase up to Cr-Mo-W family where each of the d-orbital has only
electron and the opportunity for covalent sharing is greatest.
unpal
 Mn and Tchave comparatively low melting point, due to weak metallic bondbecause of stable Half filled
(v)
(d)configuration and high IP.
Lowest melting point Hg (-38°C) Highest melting point W(=3400°C)

20001 1900
1672 VC 1530 Co
1455
1500 Sc Ti 1710 Fe
Mn 1495 Ni
1397 1244
1083
Cu
10004
420 Zn

500

VIL
Graphic representation m.p. of 3d-series elements

Illustrations
Why do the transition elements have higher boiling & melting points?
Illustratíon1
Because of having larger number of unpaired electrons in their atoms, they have stronger interatomic
Solution
interaction and hence stronger bonding between atoms. Hence strong metallic bonds between
theatoms ofthese elementsattribute to theirhighmeltingandboling points.
(C) DENSITY
The atomic volumes of the transition elements are low compared with the elements of group 1 and 2.
This is because the increased effective nueclear charge. In addition, the extra electrons added occupy
inner orbitals. Consequently the densities of the transition metals are high.

(i) Across a period from left to right atomic volumes decrease and atomic masses increase. Hence the
densities also increase across a period.

Scs TisVs Crs Mn s Fe s Cos Ni » Cu> Zn on RdL

(cinc is an exception, having large atomic volume and hence has lower density)
(ii) 3d < 4d << 5d Series
(iv) Maximum density : Ir2Os
(D) lonisation energies or lonisation enthalpies:
The first ionisation energy of Zn, Cd, and Hg are very high because of their fuilly filled (n-1) do ns
configuration.
() Order ofsecond ionisation energy : Sc < Ti <V< Mn < Cr
(E) Oxidation states:
The transition metals exhibit a large number of oxidation states. With the exception of a few elemenis
most of these show vanable oxidation states. These different oxidation states are related to the eleeu

configuration of their atoms.

Gi) he existence of the transition elements in different oxidation states means that their atonns
n to
diferent number of electrons. This is due to the participation of inner (n - 1) d-electrons n a u

Outer ns-electrons because, the energies of the ns and (n -

1) d-sub-shells are nearly sarne

ons
(i) general oxidation state of d-block element is given as minimumoxidationstate=nu
maximum oxidation state = number of 's electrons + unpaired'd' electron
65
 Different oxidation states of first transiuo

Outer
Oxidation states
Element electronic
configuration
Sc 3d'4s2 +3

3d42 +2, +3, +4

Ti

3d42 +2, +3, +4, +5

V
+2, +3, (+4), (+5), +66
Cr 3d54s
3d 4s2 +2, +3, +4, (+5), +6, +7 |
Mn

Fe 3d 42 +2, +3. (+4), (+5), (+6)

Co 3d'4s2 +2, +3, (+4)

Ni 3d"4 +2, +3, +4

Cu 3d4s +1 +2
Zn 3d4s2 +2

Oxidation states given in parenthesis are unstable.

Higher oxidation state in d-block = +8 (Os, Ru)
Zero oxidation state for e.g. [Ni(CO)], [Fe (CO)]
(ii) Relative stability of oxidation state:

Sc2Sc
TI<Ti inert gas stable configuration
(Mn"< Mn

(Mn<Mn d stableconfiguration

HDS Cr<Cr3 dis more stable than d' in aq. solution

Nir"> Ni On the basis of sum of first four L.Ps.

Pt < P

(iv) On moving in a period stability of higher oxidation state decreases

e.g. vo > Cro> MnO,

() On moving down the group stability ofhigher-oxidation state increases

e.g. Cr0, < MoO, < WO

MnO,< TcO, < Re0,

+7 7

(F) ELECTRODE POTENTIALS:

in addition to ionisation enthaly, the ather factorssuchas enthalpy of sublimation, hydration enthalpy, ionisai
in termso
enthalpy etc. determine the stability of a particular oxidation state in solution. This can explained
be

their electrode potential values. The oxidation potential of a metal involves the following process:

M(s) M lag)+e
 ALLEN- Pre-Medical: Chemistr
This process actually takes place in the tollowing three steps as given in following flowchart

AH
M(s)- M'(aq)
(i) AHub AHnye. (ii)
I.E.
M(g) M'o)
(ii)
The oxidation potential which gives the tendency of the overall change to occur, depends upon the net effect
ofthese three steps. The overall energy change is AH = A,H°+ AH +AH

If SOP is +ve Means Oxidation easyv

If SRP is +ve Means reduction easy

Some important examples:

+ve only for Cu among 3d elements because HE of Cu is not enough to compensate
EMM
for sublimation energy, IPj and IP, for Cu.

2. E
(a) -ve

Reason: tg'eg' -d' >d'

(b) Ma3/ Ma2= +ve (high)

Reason: d <d

(c) Fe/R2= less +ve (learn)

Reason: d >d'
configuration of Fe ion.
Note The SRP of E islessthen expected because of extrastabilityof d
STATES
(G) TRENDS IN STABIUTY OF HIGHER OXIDATION
states
stabilities of different oxidation
Standard electrode potential data provide valuable information about the
halides and oxides.
shown by an element. The highest oxidation states are shown generally among
Halides of first transition series
to torm
transiO
The transition elements react with halogens high temperatures
at
0 I n metal halides. the heat or
the reaction starts,
heat of reaction. But once
metal halides. These reactions
have veryhigh order
decreasing
reaction is sufficient to continue the reaction. The halogens react-in the following

CBr oxidation states.

Chromum to
21
transition series tend to exist in low
In general, the elements of first
form stable difluorides and the other chlorides are also known.

transition metals show highest ONtdd

ii) Since fluorine is the most electronegative element, the and , and
(tetrahalides,X F, C1, Br
=

The highest oxidationstatesare

with fluorine.
found in TiX,

CrF 67
 (iv) ALLEN-
he +7 oxidation state for Mn is not shown by simple halides. However, no,tis known in which th
Oxidation state of Mn is +7. the
() The tendency of fluorine to stabilise the highest oxidation state is due to either higher lattice enthaln.
py as
n case of CoF, or higher bond enthalpy due to higher covalent bonds e.g., V, andCrF
(vi) Fluorides are relatively unstable in theirlow oxidation states, For example, vanadium form
VX,(X-C Brorland.copper can fom CuX (X=C,D. All copper () halides are known exceptonly th
the
iodide.This is because, CuRt oxidises I,to I, CAC OL
2Cu2+4 » Cu,l,(s) + CuP uu, Cui
It has been observed that many copper () compounds are unstable in aqueous solution and they undergo
disproportionation to Cu(ll)and Cu(0) as
2Cu Cu+Cu
Copper in +2 oxidation state is more stable than in +1 oxidation state. This can be explained on the
basis of much larger negative hydration enthalpy (AH) of Cu2 (aq) than Cu', which is much mo
than compensates for the large energy required to remove the second electron i.e., second ionisation
enthalpy of copper.
(H) IN METAL OXIDES AND OxoCATION.( Poyatomie en nith ® han)
The ability of oxygen to stabilize the highest oxidtion state is demonstrated in their oxides. The highes
axidation states intheiroxidesconcideswiththe group number For example, the highest oxidation state
of scandium of group 3 is +3 in its oxides, Sc,O, whereas the highest oxidation state of manganese
group 7 is+7, in Mn,0D,
o
() Besides the oxides, oxocation of the metals also stabilise higher oxidation states. For example, as
VO, a s VO? and TW as TiO
ii) It may be noted that the ability of oxygen to stabilise these high oxidation states exceeds that of fluorine.
For example,
manganese forms highest fluoride as MnF, whereas the highest oxide is Mn,O This s
dueto the fact that oxygen has great ability to form multiple bonds to metals.
(iv) The transition elements in the +2 and +3 oxidation
states mostly form ionic bonds whereas with
oxidation states, the bonds are higher
essentially covalent e.g., in MnO, all bonds are covalent. As the oxidation
number of a metal increases, the ionic character of
their oxides decrease. For
Mn,0, is a covalent. In these higher oxides the acidic character is example, in case of Mn.
and HCr,0, and predominant. Thus CrO,
gives HCO,
Mn,O, gives HMnO. V,O, is, however amphoteric
with alkalies as well acids
though mainly acidic and
as
gives VOand VO,' respectively.
general
Oxidation state } Nature of oxide/Hydroxide (d-block)
Contnng, bne oi Tneie
+1,+2, +3 Basic
o f lam v
Amphoteric Except Cr0,= Amphoterie
+5, +6, +7,+8 Acidic

(1) FORMATION OF COLOURED IONS: See coordination compound

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
(J)
t is interesting to note that wnen the varnous
substances are placed in a
magnetic field, they do not behave
a r uau i.e., they show different behaviour which are known
as
magnetic behaviour.
 ALLEN- Pre-Medical: Chemistry
Paramagnetic substances. The substances which are attracted by magnetic field are called
paramagnetic
substances and this character arises due to the presence ofunpaired electrons in the atomic
orbitals.
i) Diamagnetic substances. The substances which are repelled by magnetic field are called diamagnetic
substances and this character arises due to the presence of paired electrons jn the atomic orbitals.
Most of the compounds of transition elements are paramagnetic in nature and are attracted by the magnetic
field.
The transition elements involve the partial filling of d-sub-shells. Most of the transition metal ions or their
compounds have unpaired electrons in d-sub-shel from configuration d' to d) and therefore, theygive
rise to paramagnetic character.
The magnetic moment arise only om the spin of the electrons. This can be calculated from the
relation = yn(n +2) B.M. n
Number of unpaired electrons
Table Calculated and Observed Magnetic Moments (BM)

Ton Configuration Unpaired Magnetic moment

electron(s) Calculated Observedd
Sc 3d 0 0
T 3d' 1.73 1.75
TP 3d2 2 2.84 2.76
3d 3 3.87 3.86
C 3d 4.90 4.80
Mn 3d 5 5.92 .96
Fe 3d6 4.90 5.3-5.5
Co 3d 3 3.87 4.4-5.2
Ni 3d 2 2.84 2.9-3.4
Cu 3d 1 1.73 1.8-2.2
Zn 3d0 0

(K) FORMATION OF COMPLEXES: See coordination compound

(L) FORMATION OF INTERSTITIAL COMPOUNDs
Transition metals form interstitial compounds with elements such as hydrogen, boron, carbon and nitrogen.
The small atoms of these non-metallic elements (H, B, C, N, etc.) get trapped in vacant spaces of the lattices of
the transition metal atoms as shown below.
e.g. WC, FeC, TiH1130-1.80
Properties:
(1) They are generally non-stoichiometric compound.
(2) Nither typical ionic nor covalent
(3) Harder then pure metal
(4) High melting point then pure metal
(5) Maleability and ductility less then pure metal
6) Chemically inert
Transition metal atoms Trapped atoms in
interstilial sites

E Figure showing formation of interstitial compounds

69
 (c) Chemical property:
Effect of heating 2KMnO 750K, KMnO, + MnO, +0,
On treatment with concentrated H,SO, (KMnO, is taken in excess), it forms manganese hept
Via permanganyl sulphate which decomposes explosively on heating.

KMnO, Conc H,S0Mn,O, (an explosive)

Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidising agent.
Potassium permanganate acts as an oxidising agent in alkaline, neutral or acidic solutions.
In alkaline & neutral medium:
In strongly alkaline medium KMnO, is reduced to manganate.

2KMnO, +2KOH (conc.) 2K, MnO, H,O +

+ [O
or

e +MnO, MnO
However if solution is dilute then K,MnO, is converted in to MnO, which appears as a browi
precipitate.
2K,MnO,+2H,0 2MnO, + 4KOH+ 2[0]
or

2er +2H,0 +MnO MnO, + 40H

This type of behaviour is shown by KMnO, itself in neutral medium
3e + 21,0 + MnO MnO, +40H
(d) Other reactions

acidified KMnO, (purple) Neutral weak alkaline

or
KMnO,
HS S Br
BrO
SO SO-
NO NO SO SO
Fe2 Fe Mn2
MnO
C
C
Br Br2 MnO
HCOOH
CO+HO
HCO CO+H,O
S,O,
Mn (MnSO)colorless

POTASSIUM DICHROMATE (K,Cr,O,)

(a) Preparation: The chromite ore is roasted with sodium
furnace carbonate in presence of air in a erato
reverDer

4FeO. Cr,0, (chromite ore) +

8Na,CO,+ 70, - in air 8Na,CrO+ 2Fe,O + 8CO,
 ALLEN Pre-Medical:Chemistr
The roasted mass is extracted with water when NaCo, goes into the solution leaving behind
insoluble Fe,O,. The solution is then treated with calculated amount of H,SO,.

Na,Cr,O, +Na,SO, + H,O

2Na,CrO+HS0
The solution is concentrated when less soluble Na,SO, crystalises out. The solution is further concentrated
when crystals of Na,Cr,O, are obtained. Hot saturated solution of Na,Cr,0, is then treated with KCI
when orange red crystals of K,Cr,O, are obtained on crystallisation.

Na,Cr,O, +2KC KCr,O,+2 NaCI

KCrO, is preferred over Na,Cr,O, as a primary standard in volumetric estimation because Na,Cr,O, is
hygroscopic in nature but K,Cr,O, is not

CrO =C0
Solubility of Na,Cr,O, is higher than K,Cr,O,

Physical property: It is orange-red coloured crystalline compound. It is moderately soluble in cold

(b)
water but freely soluble in hot water. It melts at 398C.

(c) Chemical property:

Effect of heating: On strongly heating,it decomposes with liberating oxygen.

28Cr,O, 2K,CrO, +Cr,O, +0,

(d) Other reactions

Acidified K,Cr,0,(Orange)

HS s

SO SO.
NO NO
SO, SO
Sn* Sn
Fe Fe3
Br Br2

CH,OH CH,COOH
aluokol
Cr or Cr(SO),
Green
1. Chromyl chloride test:
NaCl+K,Cr,O, +H,SO,Co,a, (Red orange vapour
NaOH
Na,CrO, Yellow)
Rcidified K,Cr,O, solution reacts with H,0, in a etheral solution to give a deep blue solution due to the
formation of CrO.
Cr,O,+2H +4H,0, 2Cr0, +5H,O
N
Note: Reaction with C.H,OH is used in drunken driver test.

73
 f-BLOCK ELEMENTS

.3 INNER TRANSITION ELEMENTs

called inner transition elemo
nents
The elements in which the additional electron
enters in (n -2)f orbitals are
or f-block elements.
Position in The Periodic Table
accomodateah
resemble with Yttrium in most
of theirproperties. Soit became necessary to
The lanthanoids
This has been done by
placing the tirst element, lanthanum bel
elow
at one place.
thefifteen elements together fourteen elements separately
in the lower part of the periodic table.
yttrium and placing the remaining
(Z 5 8 - 7 1 ) (Ce- Lu)
Lanthanoid series
(Z- 90- 103) (Th Lr)
Actinide series
2.4 LANTHANIODS (Rare Earths o r Lanthanones)
free state in nature.
Lanthanoidsare reactiveelementsso do not found in
Lanthanoids are Monazite, cerites
- and orthite and for heavier lanthanois
minerals for lighter
(i Most important
- Gadolinite and Xenotime

(a) Electronic configuration

The general configuration of lanthanoids may be given
as [Xe] 4f-5s 5p°5d6s2

Atomic Element Symbol Outer electronicconfiguration

No. Atomic +3 ion
58 Cerium Ce 4f 5d 6s2
59 Praseodymium Pr 41 6s2 4f2

60 Neodymium Nd-pmayAL 4f3

61. Promethium Pm)Rolhrduas 6s2 4r

62. Samarium Sm 6s? 4r5

63 Europium Eu 4f 6s2 46

64. Gadolinium Gd 4f 5d' 62 4

65. Terbium Tb 4f 62
66 Dysprosium Dy 410b2 4f9
67. Holmium Ho 4f62
68. Erbium Er 46s2
69. Thulium Tm 4f3 62 412

70. Ytterbium Yb
416
71. Lutecium Lu 4 sd' 62 4l4
() It is to be noted that filing of 4f orbitals in the atoms
is not regular. A 5d electron nium,

(Z= 64) with an outer ekectronic configuration of appears in gadoA

electrons are at about the same potential
4f'5d 6s (and not 4 6s).This is because the 4f and
energy and that the atoms have a
filled configuration. tendency to retain stabie
6:On the other hand, the filing off-orbitals is
regular in tripositive ions.
After losing outer electrons, the
f-orbitals shrink in size and became more stable.
( Pm is the only synthetic radioactive lanthanoid.
 -ALLEN Pre-Medical: Chemistry
(b) Oxidation states

In lanthanoids +3oxidation state is mostcommon.

(n Except Ce, Tb, Nd, Dy, Pr which also exhibit +4.

(i) Sm, Eu, Tm, and Yb, also exhibit +2 state
Magnetic Properties
(c)
In tripositive lanthanoid ions the number of unpaired electrons regularly increases from lanthanum to
Gadolinium (0 to 7) and then continuously decreases upto lutecium (7 to 0).

ions are diamagnetic, while all other tripositive lanthanoid ions are paramagnetic.
Gi) lanthanum and lutecium
(Exception- Neodymium is the most paramagnetic lanthanoid).

Cet and Yb are also diamagnetic ions.

Gid

(d) Colour
of
The lanthanoid ions have unpaired electrons in their 4f orbitals. Thus these ions absorbs visible region
exhibit colour.
light and undergo f-f transition and hence
on the number of unpaired
electrons in the 4f orbitals.
(it) The colour exhibited depends
have similar colour to those ions having 4f configuration.
(ii) The ions often with 4f" configuration

(iv) Lanthanoid ions having 4f, 4f are colourless.

(e) Lanthanoid Contraction

there is a progressive decrease in the size fram

6 In the lanthanoid series with increasing atomic number,
This contraction in size is known as lanthanoid contraction.
lanthanum to luteciunm or from La to Lu**.
these elements is 4f5sp°d6s. In
these elerments the added
Gi) The general electronic configuration of
therefore experiences considerable pull by
the nucleus.
electron enters the deep seated f-orbitals and
effect on the outermost
f electrons, they exert very little screening
m) Due to very poor shielding effect of (n-2
6s electrons.
to contraction in
the size of
leads
e n c e withincreasing atomic number, the enhanced nuclear charge
atoms and ions.

APPLICATIONS OF LANTHANOID CONTRACTIOON On

maintained
Similar trend is not
size The ionic radii of Zr** is about 9% more than Ti*4,
Atomic :
of Hf**, instead of
increasing (beca
irom the second to third transition series. The ionic radius the

n g equal to Zr") as a conseque

o inclusion of one more electronic shell), decreases (oris virtually
lanthanoid contraction.
members of the
second and third transition se
Cplains the close similarities between the
between the elements of the first and second series. hydroxide
regularly

ature of
nature
lanthanoid contraction
basic o
asic nature of hydroxide : The effect of of

decreases.
p r o p e r t i e s

c h e m i c a l

the
Due to small difference inSize
s
Similarity
mlarity ty in properties of lanthanoid:
75
lanthanoids are similar and their seperation is difficult.
 dnt reactions of Lanthanoids

Ln,O H
burns inO0, with
acidS

Ln,S,heatedwith S Ln
with halogens, LnX,
heated
with
N

with H,O

LnN Ln(OH),+ H,
LnC, Ln,C, Ln,C
Chemical reactions of the lanthanoids
Mish metal is an alloy of lanthanoids (Mainly cerium) and iron.
2.5 ACTINOIDS OR (5f - SERIES)

The elements in which the extra electron enters 5f-orbitals of n-2th main shell are knowm as actinok
(G)The man-made eleven elements Np93 -L'jo3 are placed beyond uranium in the periodictable and are
collectively called trans-uranium elements.
(Gi) Th, Pa and U first three actinoids are natural elements.
(a) Electronic Configuration

he generalconfiguration of actinoids maybe givenas|Rn 5f1146d0.12 7s2

Atomic No. Elementss Symbol Outer Electronic Configuration
Atomic +3 ion
90 Thorium Th 6d7s2 5f
91 Proactenium Pa 5P6d'72
L92 Uranium +6-ta 5fsd'72 SA

93 Plutonium?|-aage
Neptunium7 Np 5f6a'72
5fsa'7 5f
94 Plutonium Pu 5f6d72
95 Americium Am 5feal72 5
Mam
96 Curium Cm sf6a'72 5f
97 Berkellium Bk 5f6a72 58
wae
98 Californium Cf 5f6a73 5
Uarurg
Nwms- 99
100
Einstenium
Fermium
Es
Fm 5fl6d7
5lo

5l1

101 Mandelevium Md 5fl2

102 Nobellium No sf6a72 513

i03 Lowrencium Lr 5t 6d 7 514

(b) Oxidation states
lanthanoids and actinoids +3 oxidation is the most common for both of the series of elements.
inide
This oxidation state becomes increasingiy more stable as the atomic number increases in the actin
i)
series.
 ALLEN Pre-Medical:Chemis X
(i) Highest oxidation states in the actinoids is +7 exhibited by Npga &Pug4, it is unstable.
(iv) Highest stable oxidation state is +6 shown by Ug2

Other Properties
Physical appearance: Acitinides are silvery white metals. They get tarnished when exposed to the
attack of alkalies.

Density: All the actinoids except thorium and americium have high densities.
Colour: Actinideions aregenerally coloured. The colour of actinide ionsdependsuponthe numberof
no unpaired 5f-electrons (exactly full filled f-subshell)
5f-electrons. The ions containing
are colourless, as expected.

lonisation energies:
lonisation energies values of actinoids are low
All the known actinide metals are highly electropositive. They resemble
Electropositivie character:
lanthanoid series in this respect.
follow
have high melting and boiling points. They do not
Melting Boiling properties: They
with increase in atomic number
gradation of melting or boiling points
regular the presence of unpaired elec-
Magnetic properties:
The actinide elements are paramagnetic due to
trons.
nature.
Radioactive nature: All the
actinoids are radiaoactive in
the actinoids series. The steady
Actinide contraction: The size of atom/cation decrease regularlyalong contraction. This is due
referred to as actinide
increase in atomic number is
decrease in ionic radii with
5f-electrons.
to poor shielding of
Lanthanides and Actinoids
Comparison of
Points of Resemblance: of +3.
oxidation state
show a dominant
) Both lanthanoids and actinoids
and act asstrongreducing agents.
(i) Bothare electropositive are paramagnetic.
electrons in both of them
(ii) Cations with unpaired
are coloured.
lanthanoids and actinoids
(iv) Most of the cations of the series. Thus, lanthanoids show
decrease in their ionic radii along
(Both of them show a steady
actinide contraction.
contraction and actinoids show
lanthanoid POINTS O F DISTINCTION

Actinoids

Lathanoids common
oxidation state of +3,|
+3 Besides the most
Besides the most common oxidation state of and +6 oxidation
states
actinoids show +4, +5
oxidation states in
lanthanoids show +2 and +4
in case of certain elements.
case of certain elements. towards
Actinoids have a stronger tendency
Lanthanoids have less tendency towards
complexformation.
complex formation. radioactive.
All the actinoids are
Except promethium, they are non radioactive Oxides and hydroxides
of actinoids are

XIdes and hydroxide of

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ome important uses of actinoids are as of cancer
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