Question:

The chemistry of the actinoid elements is not so smooth as that of the Lanthanoids. Justify this statement by giving some examples from the oxidation state of these elements.

Updated On: Sep 29, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

Lanthanoids primarily show three oxidation states (+2, +3, +4). Among these oxidation states, +3 state is the most common. Lanthanoids display a limited number of oxidation states because the energy difference between 4f, 5d, and 6s orbitals is quite large. On the other hand, the energy difference between 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals is very less. Hence, actinoids display a large number of oxidation states. For example, uranium and plutonium display +3, +4, +5, and +6 oxidation states while neptunium displays +3, +4, +5, and +7. The most common oxidation state in case of  actinoids is also +3.

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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.