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f-BLOCK ELEMENTS
SYNOPSIS Physical Properties
Density:Lanthanides have densities ranging
Lanthanides: The f'- block consists of the between 6.77 to 9.74g cm-3
two series of inner transition elements
 Generally densities increases with increase in
a) Lanthanides( The fourteen elements following
atomic number.
Lanthanum)
b) Actinides (The fourteen elements following  Melting points & Boiling points:
Actinium) Lanthanides have fairly high melting points even
 Lanthanides are also called as "rare earth though no definite trend is observed (1000 to
elements" 1200K). Samarium however melts at higher

Ar
 Lanthanum closely resembles the Lanthanides, temperature (1623 K). Samarium (Sm) is as hard
Actinium closely resembles Actinides, hence as steel.
these are usually included in any discussion of
 Electropositive Character: Lanthanide

M
Lanthanides and Actinides
metals are highly electropositive due to their low
 The Lanthanides resemble one another more Ionisation energy.
closely because they exhibit a common stable
Ku
oxidation state like transition elements. Ionisation Energy: Lanthanides have fairly
Electronic configuration: The general low Ionisation energies. The IE1 & IE 2 values
electronic configuration of f-block elements is are quite comparable to those of alkaline earth
(n - 2) f 1-14 (n - 1) d0 - 1 ns2 metals particularly calcium. ( IE1 600 KJ/mole,
h

G.E.C of Lanthanides 4 f 1-14 5 d0-1 6s2

IE 2 1200 KJ/mole).
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Elements Symbol [Link] Configuration

Lanthanum La 57 [Xe]5d16s2 La, Gd, Lu have low IE3 values due to empty,,
Cerium Ce 58 [Xe]4f1 5d16s2 half filled and completely filled f orbitals
Praseodymium Pr 59 [Xe]4f 36s2 respectively
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Neodymium Nd 60 [Xe]4f 46s2  Abnormally low values of the third ionisation

Promethium Pm 61 [Xe]4f 56s2 enthalpies in the case of lanthanum 4 f 0 5 d1
Samarium Sm 62 [Xe]4f 66s2 6s2), gadolinium (4 f 7 5 d1 6s2) and lutetium
.D

Europium Eu 63 [Xe]4f 76s2 (4 f 14 5 d1 6s2).

Gadolinium Gd 64 [Xe]4f7 5d16s2
Magnetic behaviour: Lanthanide
Terbium Tb 65 [Xe]4f 96s2
ions (M3+) generally show paramagnetism due
Er

Dysprosium Dy 66 [Xe]4f 106s2

to the unpaired electrons in f-orbitals.
Holmium Ho 67 [Xe]4f 116s2
Erbium Er 68 [Xe]4f 126s2  Lanthanide ions like La 3 , Ce 4
Thulium Tm 69 [Xe]4f 136s2 ( f 0 configuration) & Yb 2 & Lu 3
Ytterbium Yb 70 [Xe]4f 146s2
(f14 configuration) are diamagnetic
Lutetium Lu 71 [Xe]4f 14 5d16s2
 The Lanthanides occur as orthophosphates in  The paramagnetism is maximum in
monazite sand. Neodymium.
 The Monazite sand contains 30% Thorium  Magnetic susceptibility of Actinides is relatively
phosphate, 60% La, Ce, Pr, Nb phosphates and higher than those of Lanthanides of same
10% Y and other heavy lanthanide phosphates. electronic configuration.
f- BLOCK ELEMENTS
Jr Chemistry E/M
Colour: Many of the Lanthanide ions are  Reduction potentials and metalic
coloured in solid state as well as in solutions. character: The standared electrode
 The colour is attributed to f-f transitions since (reduction) potentials of the lanthanoid ions
they have partly filled f-orbitals. (Absorption become less negative across the series. Thus,
bands are narrow probably because of the their reducing power decreases in going from
excitation within f-level) Ce to Lu. The highly negative E0 values indicate
 Ions with f 0,f 14 configuration are colourless. these elements to be highly electropositive
Ex :- La+3(4f 0)Lu+3(4f 14) are colourless metals capable to displace hydrogen from water.

Nd 3 , Er 3  Pink : Sm3 , Dy 3  Yellow 2M  6 H 2O  2M  OH 3  3H 2

 The Lanthanide ion with 4 f n configuration and Chemical Reactivity of Lanthanides:

In their chemical behaviour, in general, the
4f
14  n 
configuration have same colour.. earlier members of the series are quite reactive

Ar
similar to calcium but, with increasing atomic
Ex (1):- Nd 3  4 f 3  and Er 3  4 f 11  have number, they behave more like aluminium.
same colour (pink) Values for E  for the half-reaction:

M
Ex (2):- Sm3  4 f 5  and Dy 3  4 f 9  have
Ln 3 ( aq )  3e   Ln( s ) are in the range of
2.2 to 2.4V except for Eu for which the value is
same colour (yellow)
2.0V .
Ku
 Radioactivity: All Lanthanides except  The carbides, Ln3C , Ln2C3 and LnC3 are formed
promethium and samarium are non-radioactive when the metals are heated with carbon.
Oxidation States: The common oxidation  They liberate hydrogen from dilute acids and
state exhibited by Lanthanides is + 3. burn in halogens to form halides.
h

 Lanthanides can also exhibit occasionally +2  They form oxides M 2 O3 and hydroxides M (OH )3 .
and +4 ions in solution or in their solid  The lanthanides have very close similarity. The
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compounds. separation of lanthanides from one another is

 Irregularities arise mainly from the extra stability very difficult.
of empty, half filled or fully filled f-subshell.  Lanthanides can be separated by ion exchange
method
 +3 oxidation state in Lanthanum, Gadolinium
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 Monazite is the starting material for the prepa-

and Lutetium are especially stable because +3
ration of lanthanides.
ions of these elements have an empty (f 0), a
 The lanthanides are separated from monazite
halffilled [f 7] and completely filled (f 14)]
.D

and are converted into chlorides (or) oxides.

configurations.  The lanthanides are obtained by the electrolysis
 Cerium, Terbium also exhibit oxidation state of their molten chlorides.
of +4 because Ce+4 has configuration (4f 0), Tb+4  The lanthanides are obtained by the reduction
Er

has the configuration (4f 7) of their anhydrous halides with electro positive
 Pr, Nd, Dy also exhibit +4 state in their oxides metals like Na, Mg.
with formula MO2.  The lanthanides slowly react with cold water
 Europium, Ytterbium can show +2 oxidation and quickly react with hot water.
state due to 4f 7 , 4f 14 configuration respectively.. 2M  6 H 2O  2M  OH 3  3H 2
 Although the formation of Eu2+ is favoured by  As the size of M+3 ion decreases the covalent
the extra stability of its f7 configurations, but character in M-OH bond and their basic strength
Eu2+ is a strong reducing agent and changes to in their hydroxides decreases gradually from
Eu3+ in its reactions. Samarium (Sm) also shows La  OH 3 to Lu  OH 3 . This is due to
+2 and +3 oxidatoin states.
Lanthanide contraction
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 Lanthanides form oxides of the type M 2O3 (or)  Pyrophosphoric alloy is used in ignition devices
such as tracer bullets, shells and flints for
MO2 . These oxdies are ionic in nature. lighters.
 Lanthanide ions cannot easily form co-ordinate  Mixed oxides of lanthanides are used as catalyst
compounds because of their large size. in petroleum cracking.
 Lanthanide ions can form complexes with Actinoids: General outer electronic
chelating ligands. configuration is 5 f 1-14 6 d0-1 7s2
Ln2O3 Elements Symbol At. No Configuration
H2
Actinium Ac 89 [Rn]6d1 7s2
bu

ids

Thorium Th 90 [Rn]6d2 7s2

rns

ac
in

Protactinium Pa 91 [Rn]5f 26d1 7s2

th
wi
O2

Uranium U 92 [Rn]5f 36d1 7s2

Ar
with halogens Neptunium Np 93 [Rn]5f 46d1 7s2
heated with S Ln LnX3
Ln2S3 Plutonium Pu 94 [Rn]5f 6 7s2
N
th Americium Am 95 [Rn]5f 7 7s2
wi

wi
with C 2773 K

th

d Curium Cm 96 [Rn]5f 76d1 7s2

at e

M
H2

he
O

Berkelium Bk 97 [Rn]5f 9 7s2

LnN Californium Cf 98 [Rn]5f 10 7s2
Ln(OH)3 +H2
Ku
Einstenium Es 99 [Rn]5f 11 7s2
LnC2
Fermium Fm 100 [Rn]5f 12 7s2
Lanthanide Contraction: The decrease in Mendelevium Md 101 [Rn]5f 13 7s2
atomic radii (derived from the structures of Nobelium No 102 [Rn]5f 14 7s2
metals) is not quite regular but it is regular in Lawrencium Lr 103 [Rn]5f 14 6d17s2
 The elements in which the last electron enters
h

their M+3 ions.

 As atomic number increases in Lanthanides into 5f-orbital are called Actinides.
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series, for every proton added to the nucleus,  The actinoids are radioactive elements and the
the extra electron goes to fill 4f - orbitals. The earlier members have relatively long half-lives,
4f- electrons constitute inner shells and are rather the latter ones have half-life values ranging from
ineffective in screening the nuclear charge. a day to 3 minutes for lawrencium (Z=103).
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Gradual increase in the effective nuclear charge  The configurations of Am and Cm are [ Rn]5 f 7 s 2
is responsible for decrease in size of and [ Rn]5 f 7 6d 1 7 s 2 . Although the 5f orbitals
Lanthanides. This phenomenon is called
resemble the 4 f orbitals in their angular part of
.D

Lanthanide contraction.
Consequences: The similarities between 4d & the wave-function, they are not as buried as 4 f
5d series elements are more closer than 3d & orbitals and hence 5 f electrons can participate
Er

4d elements. in bonding to a far greater extent.

 The atomic sizes of Zr & Hf, Nb & Ta, Mo &  There is a gradual decrease in the size of atoms
W are almost same. or M 3 ions across the series. This may be
 The separation of lanthanides is very difficult referred to as the actinoid contraction. The
due to closer atomic radii. contraction is, however, greater from element
 Inert pair effect. to element in this series resulting from poor
Uses of Lanthanides shielding by 5 f electrons.
 Lanthanides form alloys easily with Iron.  There is a greater range of oxidation states,
 Misch-metal is an alloy (pyrophoric alloy) which is in part attributed to the fact that the
containing Lanthanide metals, Ce-50%, 5 f , 6d and 7s levels are of comparable
La - 40%, Fe 7% and traces of S, C, Ca, Al.
energies.
f- BLOCK ELEMENTS
Jr Chemistry E/M
Oxidation States: The actinoids show in  Actinides have high m.p’s and b.p’s
general +3 oxidation state. The elements, in the  Actinides have low I.P. values.
first half of the series frequently exhibit higher  All the actinides are highly electropositive.
oxidation states. For example, the maximum Uses of Actinoids:
oxidation state increases from +4 in Th to +5,  Uranium is used as nuclear fuel.
+6 and +7 respectively in Pa, U and Np but  Uranium salts are used in glass industry, textile
decreases in succeeding elements. industry, in medicines etc...
 Np & Pu also exhibit +7 oxidation states in their  Plutonium is used in atomic reactors.
compounds.
 U & Am also exhibit +6 oxidation states in their C.U.Q
compounds.
PROPERTIES
 Actinide series includes 15 elements. i.e. 89 Ac 1. Which sub shell is filled up progressively in

Ar
to 103 Lr . actinoids
1.4f 2. 5f 3. 6d 4. 7s
 All these elements are radioactive.
2. The electronic configuration of f-block
 Except 89 Ac , 90 Th , 91 Pa , 92 U the remaining elements is represented by

M
elements are synthetic. 1. (n  2) f 114 (n  1)d 01ns 2
 Elements after Uranium are called transuranic 114 0 5 0 2
2. (n  2) f (n  1)d ns
Ku
elements.
 The common oxidation number is +3 and they 3. (n  2) f 114 (n  1)d 010 ns1 2
also exhibit +4, +5, +6, oxidation numbers.
 Actinide contraction is due to poor shielding of 4. (n  2) f 114 (n  1)d 0 2 (n  1) s 2
5f electrons. 3. The inner transition elements are the
elements in which the added electrons go to
h

Properties: Actionoids are all silvery metals. 1. (n-1)d-orbitals 2. (n-2)f-orbitals

 The actionoids are highly reactive metals, 3. (n-1) d-orbitals and (n-1) f-orbitals
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especially when finely divided. The action of 4. (n-1)d-orbitals and ns orbitals

boiling water on them, for example, gives a 4. The electronic configuration of cerium is
mixture of oxide and hydride. 1. [ Xe]4 f 0 5d 1 6 s 2 2. [ Xe]4 f 1 5d 1 6 s 2
 Hydrochloric acid attacks all metals but most
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are slightly affected by nitric acid owing to the 3. [ Xe]4 f 2 5d 0 6 s 2 4. Both 2 and 3
formation of protective oxide layers; alkalies 5. Which of the following is not the
have no action. configuration of lanthanoid
.D

 The lanthanoid and actinoid contractions, have 1. [ Xe]4 f 10 .6 s 2 2. [ Xe]4 f 1 5d 1.6 s 2

extended effects on the sizes, and therefore, the
3. [ Xe]4 f 14 5d 10 6s1 4. [ Xe]4 f 7 5d 1 6 s 2
properties of the elements succeeding them in
Er

their respective periods. 6. The element with the electronic configuration

 Except Thorium, Americium (Am) all the [ Xe]4 f 14 5d 1 6 s 2 is a
actinides have high densities. 1. Representative element 2. Transition element
 Most of the ions of actinides are coloured. 3. Actinide element 4. Lanthanide element
 Their compounds are basic in nature. 7. Lanthanoids are :
 Actinides have weak tendency of complex 1) 14 elements in the seventh period (At. no.
formation. 90 to 103) that are filling 5f sublevel.
2) 14 elements in the sixth period ([Link]. 58 to
 Actinoides form oxocations. Ex: UO22 , PuO2 71) that are filling 4f sublevel.
etc., 3) 14 elements in the seventh period ([Link].58
 The ions of actinides are paramagnetic due to to 71) that are filling 4f sublevel.
unpaired electrons. 4) 14 elements in the sixth period ([Link].90 to 103)