Question:

Compare the chemistry of the actinoids with that of lanthanoids with reference to: 

  1. electronic configuration
  2. oxidation states and
  3. chemical reactivity.

Updated On: Sep 29, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

Electronic configuration 
The general electronic configuration for lanthanoids is [Xe]54 4f0-14 5d0-1 6s2 and that for actinoids is [Rn]86 5f1-14 6d0-1 7s2 . Unlike 4f orbitals, 5f orbitals are not deeply buried and participate in bonding to a greater extent. 


Oxidation states 
The principal oxidation state of lanthanoids is (+3). However, sometimes we also encounter oxidation states of +2 and +4. This is because of extra stability of fully-filled and half-filled orbitals. Actinoids exhibit a greater range of oxidation states. This is because the 5f, 6d, and 7s levels are of comparable energies. Again, (+3) is the principal oxidation state for actinoids. Actinoids such as lanthanoids have more compounds in +3 state than in +4 state. 


Chemical reactivity 
In the lanthanide series, the earlier members of the series are more reactive. They have reactivity that is comparable to Ca. With an increase in the atomic number, the lanthanides start behaving similar to Al. Actinoids, on the other hand, are highly reactive metals, especially when they are finely divided. When they are added to boiling water, they give a mixture of oxide and hydride. Actinoids combine with most of the non-metals at moderate temperatures. Alkalies have no action on these actinoids. In case of acids, they are slightly affected by nitric acid (because of the formation of a protective oxide layer).

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Concepts Used:

Lanthanoids

Lanthanoids are at the top of these two-row, while actinoids are at the bottom row.

Properties of Lanthanoids

Lanthanoids are inclusive of 14 elements, with atomic numbers 58-71:

  • Cerium - Xe 4f1 5d1 6s2
  • Praseodymium - Xe 4f3 6s2
  • Neodymium - Xe 4f4 6s2
  • Promethium - Xe 4f5 6s2
  • Samarium - Xe 4f6 6s2
  • Europium - Xe 4f7 6s2
  • Gadolinium - Xe 4f7 5d1 6s2
  • Terbium - Xe 4f9 6s2
  • Dysprosium - Xe 4f10 6s2
  • Holmium - Xe 4f11 6s2
  • Erbium - Xe 4f12 6s2
  • Thulium - Xe 4f13 6s2
  • Ytterbium - Xe 4f14 6s2
  • Lutetium - Xe 4f14 5d1 6s2

These elements are also called rare earth elements. They are found naturally on the earth, and they're all radioactively stable except promethium, which is radioactive. A trend is one of the interesting properties of the lanthanoid elements, called lanthanide contraction.