D & F Block Short Notes
D & F Block Short Notes
4f – metals → lanthanoids
5f – metals → actinoids
Electronic Configuration
The d-block elements (group 3 – 12) occupy the large, middle section of the periodic table.
There are three series of transition metals, corresponding to the filling of 3d, 4d and
5d orbitals.
All the transition metals exhibit typical metallic properties such as high tensile strength,
ductility, malleability, high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic lustre, etc.
The melting and boiling points of transition metals are high due to the involvement of (n –
1)d electrons in interatomic bonding.
The maxima of these properties occur at about the middle of each series, which indicates
that one unpaired electron per d-orbital is particularly favourable for strong interatomic
interaction.
Lanthanoid contraction – Regular decrease in atomic radii due to the filling of the 4f orbital
before the 5d orbital. As a result, with increase in atomic number, the expected increase in
size is not observed.
Ionisation Enthalpies
In each of the three transition series, the first ionisation enthalpy increases from left to right.
However, there are some exceptions.
The first ionisation enthalpies of the third transition series are higher than those of the first
and second transition series.
Reason: Poor shielding effect of 4f electrons in the third transition series
Exhibit variable oxidation states
Exhibit paramagnetic behaviour. Their magnetic moment values can be calculated using the
expression:
MagneticProperties
Where,
n = Number of unpaired electrons
μ = Magnetic moment in Bohr magneton (BM)
Alloy Formation
Alloys are readily formed by these metals.
Reason: Because of similar radii and other characteristics of transition metals
Potassium Dichromate ( )
Preparation:
Potassium dichromate being less soluble than sodium dichromate can be obtained in the
form of orange coloured crystals by treating sodium dichromate with potassium chloride
and can be removed by filtration.
Potassium Permanganate
It can be prepared from pyrolusite (MnO2). The ore is fused with KOH in the presence of
either atmospheric oxygen or an oxidising agent such as KNO3 or KClO4 to give K2MnO4.
The lanthanoids –
In general, their outermost electronic configuration is 4f1 – 14 6s2.
Due to lanthanoid contraction, there is a gradual decrease in atomic and ionic radii with
increase in atomic number.
The lanthanoids exhibit mainly +3 oxidation state. However, sometimes +2 and +4
oxidation states are also exhibited.
Chemical reactions:
Actinoids
These include fourteen elements after actinium (from thorium to lawrencium).
These are the radioactive elements.
Electronic configuration:
7s2 → Stable
5f and 6d → Variable
Oxidation States:
Greater range of oxidation states
Reason: 5f, 6d, and 7s subshells are of comparable energies.
Exhibit mainly +3 oxidation state. However, +4, +5, +6, and +7 oxidation states are also
exhibited.
Their magnetic properties are complex in comparison to lanthanoids.
Lower ionisation enthalpies than lanthanoids
Reason − 5f electrons are less effectively shielded than 4f electrons.