f-block

1. Introduction
f-block elements are those elements in which valence electron enters in f-subshell. These elements are divided
in following series of elements
- 4f series Lanthanoids
- 5f series Actanoids

General Configuration
(𝒏 − 𝟐)𝒇𝟏"𝟏𝟒 (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅𝟎"𝟏 𝒏𝒔𝟐

Position in periodic table

2. Lanthanoids (Ln)
a) Intro & Config.

General Configuration
𝟒𝒇𝟏"𝟏𝟒 𝟓 𝒅𝟎"𝟏 𝟔𝒔𝟏
Lanthanoids are those elements in which valence electrons are filled in 4f subshell.
Elements[𝐶𝑒 → 𝐿𝑢]
58 71
Refer table 8.9 : NCERT BOOK
58 Ce 4𝑓 % 5 𝑑% 6𝑠 ' Cerium
63 Eu 4𝑓 K 6𝑠 ' Europium
K % '
64 Gd 4𝑓 5 𝑑 6𝑠 Gadolinium
65 Tb 4𝑓 L 6𝑠 ' Terbium
%8 '
70 Yb 4𝑓 6𝑠 Ytterbium
71 Lu 4𝑓 %8 5 𝑑% 6𝑠 ' Lutetium

b) Appearance
1. Lanthanoids are silvery white soft metals.
2. Very Reactive and react with air to form tarnish in air.
3. Their hardness increases atomic no. increases.

c) Atomic Radii
Due to filling of 4f electrons which provide poor shielding there is contraction in the atomic radii of elements
called Lanthanoid Contraction. Hence, the atomic radii is decreases as we move from left to right.
à Consequences of Lanthanoid Contractions in Atomic radii
i. Basic character of oxides and hydroxides Due to the lanthanoid contraction, the covalent nature of Ln-OH bond
increases as the basic character of oxides and hydroxides decreases from La(OH)3 to Lu(OH)3.
ii. Due to lanthanoid contraction, there is a small difference in the size of lanthanoids. So, there is slight difference
in some properties of lanthanoids like solubility, degree of hydration and complex formation. These similarities
enable the separation of lanthanoids difficult.

d) Oxidation State
• The most stable O.S of Lanthanoids is +3.
• Ce and Tb can also show +4 oxidation state but their stable Oxidation is +3.
Hence 𝑪𝒆)𝟒 & 𝑻𝒃)𝟒 can act as very good Oxidising Agent.
• Eu and Yb can also show +2 oxidation state but their stable oxidation state is +3.
Hence Eu & Yb can act as very good Reducing Agent.

e) Magnetic Properties
Lanthanoid ions are paramagnetic in nature due to the presence of unpaired 𝑒 " in 4f subshell but 𝐶𝑒 )8 ,
𝐿𝑢)8 & 𝑌𝑏)' are diamagnetic in nature.(absence of unpaired 𝑒 " ).

f) Alloy Formation
Ø Lanthanoid elements form easy alloys especially with Iron.
Ø Special alloy : (misch metal)
Is an alloy of Lanthanoid & iron which has following composition.
- Ln (94 – 95 %)
- Fe (4 %)
- Al, S, C, Ca traces.
Uses : Bullets, Canon balls, shells & lighter frints.

F.Y.I : Ln oxides are used for phosphorus screen.

g) Colour
Most of the trivalent ions are colored due to f-f transition & presence of unpaired electrons in 4f subshell.

h) Chemical Reactivity
Stable oxidation state → +3. Hence reacts with the
elements in the following way.

𝐿𝑛 + 𝑂' → 𝐿𝑛' 𝑂+
𝐿𝑛 + 𝐻' 𝑂 → 𝐿𝑛(𝑂𝐻)+ + 𝐻' ↑
𝐿𝑛 + 𝑆 → 𝐿𝑛' 𝑆+
𝐿𝑛 + 𝐻' → 𝐿𝑛𝑋+
𝐿𝑛 + 𝑁' → 𝐿𝑛𝑁
3. Actinoids
a) Introduction & Electronic Config.
Actinoids are those elements in which valence electrons are filled in 5f subshell.
5𝑓 %"%8 6 𝑑&"% 7𝑠 '
Elements[𝑇ℎ → 𝐿𝑟]
90 103
Refer table 8.10 : NCERT
90 Th 6 𝑑' 7𝑠 ' Thorium
K '
95 Am 5𝑓 7𝑠 Americium
96 Cu 5𝑓 K 6𝑑% 7𝑠 ' Curium
%8 '
102 No 5𝑓 7𝑠 Nobelium
%8 % '
103 Lr 5𝑓 6𝑑 6𝑠 Lawrencium

b) Atomic Radii
Due to Actinoid Contraction the atomic radii is seem to decreases as we move from left to right.

c) Oxidation State
Actinoids can also show variable oxidation sates +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7, due to small difference in energies of
5f, 6d, 7s. But most stable oxidation sate is +3.

d) Magnetic Properties
Actinoid are strongly paramagnetic in nature due to the presence of unpaired electrons in 5f subshell. Their
magnetic moments are smaller than the theoretical predictable value as the 5f electrons of actinoids are less
effectively shielded which results in orbital combination.