Actinides Flashcards
1
Q
stability of isotopes
A
even mass number preferred, stabilisation due to pairing effect
2
Q
5f orbitals
A
radial node, less well shielded than 4f from ligand influence, more covalent in character
3
Q
relativistic effects
A
increased velocity of e- orbiting heavy nuclei means relativistic mass increases, s/p-orbital contraction increases stabilisation which indirectly destabilises d/f-orbitals due to increased shielding from s/p
4
Q
oxidation states
A
+3 favoured
