Chapter 23: Q32 P (page 1059)

Only a few lanthanides show an oxidation state other than +3. Two of these, europium (Eu) and terbium (Tb), are found near the middle of the series, and their unusual oxidation states can be associated with a half-filled fsubshell.
(a) Write the electron configurations of Eu²⁺, Eu³⁺, and Eu⁴⁺. Why is Eu²⁺ a common ion, whereas Eu⁴⁺ is unknown?
(b) Write the electron configurations of Tb²⁺, Tb³⁺, and Tb⁴⁺. Would you expect Tb to show a +2 or a +4 oxidation state? Explain

Short Answer

Expert verified

a) $E u^{2 +} : [X e] 4 f^{7} E u^{3 +} : [X e] f f^{6} E u^{4 +} : [X e] f f^{5} E u^{2 +}$ is more common ion than Eu³⁺ because it has more stable half-filled 4f subshell.

b) $T b^{2 +} : [X e] 4 f^{9} T b^{3 +} : [X e] 4 f^{8} T b^{4 +} : [X e] 4 f^{7} + 4$ oxidation state rather than +2, because it has more stable half-filled 4f subshell.

Step by step solution

The electron configuration

The electron configuration is that the distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule (or other physical structure) in atomic or molecular orbitals.

Electron configuration of each elements.

Electron configuration for elemental Eu would be:

1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p⁶4d¹⁰5d²5p⁶4f⁷5d⁰6s²

Electron configuration for elemental Tb would be:

1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p⁶4d¹⁰5d²5p⁶4f⁹5d⁰6s²

a) $E u^{2 +} : [X e] 4 f^{7} E u^{3 +} : [X e] f f^{6} E u^{4 +} : [X e] f f^{5} E u^{2 +}$ is more common ion than Eu³⁺ because it has more stable half-filled 4f subshell.

b) $T b^{2 +} : [X e] 4 f^{9} T b^{3 +} : [X e] 4 f^{8} T b^{4 +} : [X e] 4 f^{7}$ Tbto show +4 oxidation state rather than +2, because it has more stable half-filled subshell.

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Short Answer

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The electron configuration

Electron configuration of each elements.

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