f-block Flashcards
Why can free ion model be used for f-block elements?
Spectra is almost same in the gas, solid and liquid phase
How are f->f transitions present on an absorption spectra?
As the e- are not in bonds they are sharp transitions
Weak transitions as parity forbidden ( u->u)
What causes intense transitions for lanthanides in absorption spectra?
From allowed transitions:
u -> g
4f -> 5d
How does spin orbit coupling change across lanthanides?
Increases
Causes larger gaps at the same L
Why is lanthanide luminescence long-lived?
Forbidden nature of f-f transitions
What is the energy gap law?
Emissive state is state with largest energy gap to next state lower in E
What is the crystal effect like on lanthanides?
Crystal field lifts degen to give different mj states
What is the free ion approx?
4f orbitals don’t overlap sig with ligand orbitals
Ligand field splittings insig wrt kT
4f orbitals in Ln3+ are degen and I=3 for 4f
When does the spin-only formula apply to a lanthanide?
4f7 as equal occuption of all orbitals
How can the magnetic moment (μeff) be calculated?
μeff = gJx Sqrt[J(J+1)] x μb
In units of μb
How does the spin a.m. contribute to magnetic moment?
μeff = gs x Sqrt[s(s+1)] x μb
gs = 2
s = total spin q.n.
Only works for Gd but works for d-block
How does the half-life of actinides change across the series?
Half-life decreases across the series
How does the energy of f-orbitals change across the f-block?
Start: nf orbitals comparable to (n+2)s and (n+1)d
Across period then all drop in energy (drop is slower for actinides due to radial node in 5f)
How can lanthanides be described wrt ionic/covalent and why?
Ionic
Due to limited penetration of 4f
LFSE v. small
How can actinides be described wrt ionic/covalent and why?
More covalent than lactinides
Due to core e- in actinide contracting due to relativistic effect - mass so large than e- experience relativistic contraction
How do e- fill lanthanide orbitals?
General: 4fn6s2
Exceptions:
Ce, Gd, and Lu
Configuration fo electrons in Ce, Gd, and Lu?
Ce (low Zeff for 4f early in the series): 4f15d16s2
Gd (e- repulsion in 4f8): 4f75d16s2
Lu:
4f145d16s2
How does the 4f change across the period?
4f drops rapidly
Max in rdf moves inside 5p core sub-shell so core-like and no sig overlap with ligand orbitals
What are the results of charge-sensitivity of 4f Lanth electrons?
3+ ions have config 4fn
Bonding in 2+ or higher oxn states are highly ionic
Low oxn states are metallic but orbital overlap involves 5d and 6s orbtials (not 4f)