d and f Block Elements

D block elements

The d-block elements are those elements that are found in the middle of the periodic table, ranging from Group 3 to Group 12. The term “d-blocks” refers to the fact that the last electron enters the d-orbital of the penultimate shell before exiting.

These elements are referred to as transition elements because their characteristics are intermediate between the highly reactive metallic elements of the s-block and the nonmetallic elements of the p-block. There are four series in the d block, each of which corresponds to the filling up of a 3d, 4d, 5d, or 6d orbital in a 3d, 4d, or 5d orbital.

The first transition series, also known as the 3d series ( Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn)

Second transition series, also known as the 4d series (Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd)

Third transition series, also known as the 5d series (La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg)

The fourth transition series, also known as the 6d series, is unfinished.

F block elements

The f block elements are located outside of the periodic table, at the bottom of the table. The term “f-blocks” refers to the fact that the last electron enters the f-orbital of the anti-penultimate shell before exiting.

These are referred to as inner transition elements in some circles. There are two series in the f block, each of which corresponds to the filling up of four and five f orbitals, respectively.

Lanthanide series or 4f series (Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) Actinide series or 5f series (Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) Lanthanide series or 4f series (Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu ( Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Bk, Cf, Es, Fm, Md, Mo)

The following is a brief examination of d-blocks or transition elements.

Typically, the transition elements have a d-orbital that is only partially filled in. In order to avoid being classified as transition elements because Zn, Cd, and Hg have completely filled d-orbitals (nd¹º), compounds of these elements are not typical and exhibit differences from compounds of other elements in several ways.

D-block elements have an electronic configuration that is (n-1)d1-10 ns² in general.

A brief examination of f-Block or Inner-Transition Elements is presented.

If you look at it closely, the f-block elements or inner-transition elements are the ones where the electron enters the anti-penultimate energy level, which is the (n-2) energy level.

Its general electronic configuration is as follows: (n-2)f1-14 (n-1)d0-1 ns² for the f-block element.

These elements are divided into two groups based on the entrance of the last electron into either the 4 f-orbital or the 5 f-orbital. These groups are referred to as the lanthanides and the actinides, respectively.

Lanthanides

The name lanthanides comes from the element lanthanum (La, Z=57), and it refers to the fact that these elements are closely related to lanthanum in chemical composition. This series contained 14 elements ranging in atomic number from cerium (Z=58) to lutetium (Z=71).

Characteristics of Lanthanides

• Lanthanides are soft metals that are silvery-white in colour and have a silvery appearance.

• When they are exposed to air, their colour fades and their brightness diminishes significantly.

• Depending on the species, their melting points range from 1000 to 1200 degrees Celsius (Except Samarium, 1623K).

• Lanthanides are excellent heat and electrical conductors, and they have a high melting point.

• With the exception of Promethium, none of these elements are radioactive in nature.

• The atomic and ionic radii of the elements decrease as they progress from lanthanum to lutetium. The lanthanoid contraction is the term used to describe it.

• The electronic configuration of lanthanides is [Xe] in its most general form. 4f1-14 5d0-1 6s², 4f1-14 5d0-1 6s²

Lanthanides have a variety of applications

1)A pyrophoric alloy containing cerium, lanthanum, and Neodymium, as well as iron, aluminum, calcium, carbon, and silicon, is used in lighters, toys, flame-throwing tanks, and tracer bullets, among other things. It is also used in lasers.

2. The elements ceria (CeO₂) and thoria (ThO₂) are used in the production of gas lamp materials.

3. Cerium salts are used in the dyeing of cotton, the production of lead storage batteries, and the production of catalysts.

4. Because of their extraordinary reducing property, lanthanides are used in metallothermic reactions to generate heat. Lanthanide – thermic processes can produce sufficient amounts of pure Nb, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Y, W, U, B, and Si. Lanthanide – thermic processes can yield sufficient amounts of pure Nb, Zr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Y, W, U, B, and Si.

5. Lanthanide alloys are referred to as mish – metals, and the primary constituents of mish-metals are Ce (45-50 percent), La (25 percent), Nd (5%), and trace amounts of other lanthanide metals as well as Fe and Ca impurities.

6. Mish-metals are used in the production of various types of steel, including heat-resistant, stainless, and instrumental steels, among others. It is possible to make parts for jet engines out of magnesium alloys that contain 30 percent mixed metals and 1 percent Zr.

Actinide

The name actinide comes from the element actinium (La, Z=89), and it refers to elements that are chemically related to actinium in some way. This series contained 14 elements ranging in atomic number from thorium (Z=90) to lawrencium (Z=103).

Properties of actinides

• It is the silvery appearance of the actinide elements that distinguishes them.

• These elements are radioactive by their very nature.

• These metals are extremely reactive, and finely dividing them increases the amount of reactivity they have.

• The atomic and ionic radii of the elements decrease as they progress from actinium to Lawrencium.

• It is referred to as actinoid contraction in this case.

• In general, they have a positive oxidation state of +3. The first half of the series, on the other hand, has been observed to exhibit higher oxidation states on a regular basis in the literature.

• The electronic configuration of actinides is [Rn] 5f1-14 , 6d0-1 7s² in its most general form.

Actinides have a variety of applications.

The actinides are radioactive elements that occur naturally. As an example, thorium is used in nuclear reactors and cancer treatment. Uranium is also used in nuclear fuel and its salts are used in the glass industry, the textile industry, and pharmaceuticals to name a few applications. Plutonium is used in nuclear fuel and atomic bombs, among other applications.

CONCLUSION

The d-block elements are those elements that are found in the middle of the periodic table, ranging from Group 3 to Group 12. The term “d-blocks” refers to the fact that the last electron enters the d-orbital of the penultimate shell before exiting.These elements are referred to as transition elements because their characteristics are intermediate between the highly reactive metallic elements of the s-block and the nonmetallic elements of the p-block. The f block elements are located outside of the periodic table, at the bottom of the table. The term “f-blocks” refers to the fact that the last electron enters the f-orbital of the anti-penultimate shell before exiting.These are referred to as inner transition elements in some circles. The name lanthanides comes from the element lanthanum (La, Z=57), and it refers to the fact that these elements are closely related to lanthanum in chemical composition. This series contained 14 elements ranging in atomic number from cerium (Z=58) to lutetium (Z=71).The name actinide comes from the element actinium (La, Z=89), and it refers to elements that are chemically related to actinium in some way. This series contained 14 elements ranging in atomic number from thorium (Z=90) to lawrencium (Z=103).Actinides have a variety of applications.The actinides are radioactive elements that occur naturally. As an example, thorium is used in nuclear reactors and cancer treatment.