f-BLOCK

• Most stable oxidation state for f-block elements = +3

• Group no for f-block elements = 3

• Group 3/IIIB
Sc
Y
La + 14 Lanthanides
Ac + 14 Actinides
 f-BLOCK
Lanthanide Series (58-71)
4f-series,Rare earth elements.
58Ce,59Pr,60Nd,61Pm,62Sm,63Eu,64Gd,65Tb,66Dy,

67Ho,68Er,69Tm,70Yb,71Lu.

Actinide Series(90-103)
5f-series,Mostly man-made and Radio-active
90Th,91Pa,92U,93Np,94Pu,95Am,96Cm,97Bk,98Cf,

99Es,100Fm,101Md,102No,103Lr
 f-BLOCK
Reactions of f-block elements.

Ln2O3
LnN
LnX3 O2
X2 N2
C LN
LnC2, Ln2C3, Ln3C Ln
S2
H2
H2O
LnH3 Ln2S3
Ln(OH)3 + H2
 f-BLOCK
Difference between Lanthanides and Actinides.
Lanthanides
1. Most of the properties are known
2. Non radio-active
3.Electron enters into 4f-subshell
4.Due to poor shielding of 4f-
subshell
Lanthanide Contraction occurs.
Ti < Zr ~ Hf
5.Less Basic
6.No complex formation tendency
Actinides
1.Properties are unknown
2.Radio-active
3.Electron enters into 5f-subshell
4.Due to poor shielding of 5f-
subshell Actinide Contraction
occurs. shielding of 5f is more poor
than 4f. Hence actinide contraction
is more effective than lanthanide
contraction
5.More Basic
6.Having complex formation
tendency
 f-BLOCK
Basic nature decreases from left to right in
Lanthanide series.
57La(OH)3 > 58Ce(OH)3 > > > > > > > > > > 71Lu(OH)3

Ce+4=Inert gas configuration

Eu+2=Half filled configuration
Yb+2=Fully filled configuration
But most stable Oxidation state in f-block is +3 ,so
Ce+4 act as Oxidising agent and Eu+2,Yb+2
act as Reducing agent.
 f-BLOCK
• Colour of f-block compounds is due to f-f transition.
• Compounds having configuration 4fn exibit similar colour with
the elements having configuration 4f14-n.
• Fe, Co, Ni, Gd is a ferromagnetic substance.
• Nd exhibit highest paramagnetism.it is combined effect of spin
and orbital magnetic effect.
• Mische metal is an alloy of Lanthanoids(Mainly Ce) and Fe