Actinoids
Compared to lanthanoids, actinoids show a wider range of oxidation states mainly because:
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Solution
5f, 6d and 7s orbitals are close in energy
In actinoids, the energies of 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals are comparable. Therefore, varying numbers of electrons from these orbitals can participate in bonding, resulting in multiple oxidation states. Lanthanoids largely show +3 due to relatively less participation variability of 4f electrons. Thus orbital energy closeness explains the broader oxidation state range in actinoids.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- d- and f-block elements
- Topic
- actinoids
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
5f, 6d and 7s orbitals are close in energy
In actinoids, the energies of 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals are comparable. Therefore, varying numbers of electrons from these orbitals can participate in bonding, resulting in multiple oxidation states. Lanthanoids largely show +3 due to relatively less participation variability of 4f electrons. Thus orbital energy closeness explains the broader oxidation state range in actinoids.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter d- and f-block elements, covering the topic of actinoids. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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