f-Block: The

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Car

Fascinating
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Elements with
Unique Properties
 f-Block
22

Ti
Tita
n ium

The f-block elements, also known as the inner

transition metals, are the elements that are found
in the two bottom rows of the periodic table. They
are comprised of two series: the lanthanoid series
(4f) and the actinoid series (5f). These elements
are known for their unique properties, including
their electronic configuration, atomic and ionic
radii, oxidation states, coloured compounds, 14
complex formation, alloy formation, and chemical
reactivity.
Si
Silicon
 0 97

Bk
92

U
U ra
n iu
1 Berk
eli um

Electronic
m

Ac Configuration
89
m
iu
tin
Ac

of 4f and 5f
series
 Electronic Configuration of
4f and 5f series
Ce
58

m
riu
Ce
The electronic configuration of the 4f
Therefore, the Electronic
and 5f series is unique because the f-
orbitals are shielded by the other Configuration of
orbitals, which makes them less 4f series : [Xe] 4f¹¯¹⁴ 5d⁰¯¹ 6s²
available for bonding. The 4f series has 5f series : [Rn] 5f¹¯¹⁴ 6d ⁰¯²
15 Metallic chemical elements with 7s²
atomic number 57 to 71, from 9

Lanthanum through Lutetium, and the

3
N
5f series has 15 Metallic Chemical
elements with atomic numbers from 89 p
Nep
tun
m iu
to 103, Actinium through Lawrencium
0
2 9
3
N
Atomic and
p
Nep
tun

Ionic Radii of 4f m iu

and 5f series
Th
90
m
o r iu
Th
Atomic and Ionic Radii of 4f and 5f
series
9
The atomic and ionic radii of the f-block
Es
9

elements decrease as we move across the Eins

teini
u
m
period. This is because of the increase in
nuclear charge, which attracts the electrons
more strongly, leading to a decrease in size.
The ionic radii of the f-block elements are 98

smaller than the atomic radii because of the Cf

increased positive charge on the nucleus, Ca
lifo
rni
leading to a stronger attraction between the u m

electrons and the nucleus.

 0 18

Ar

3
Arg
on

91

Pa
Prot
actin
m
iu Oxidation
79 States of 4f
Au
Gold and 5f Series
 Oxidation States of 4f and 5f
Series
Oxidation states are the "charges" assigned to atoms in
chemical compounds. The 4f and 5f series elements
showcase a variety of oxidation states, making them
versatile in chemical reactions. Lanthanoids generally
exhibit +3 oxidation state, while actinoids can have
multiple oxidation states ranging from +3 to +7. 
29

Ca
Calcium
0
4
Formation of
3

LI
colored Lith
iu m

compounds of 4f
and 5f series
79

Au
Gold
 Formation of colored
compounds of 4f and 5f series
The f-block elements are known for These colors come from their
their ability to form coloured partially-filled f orbitals, which
compounds. This is due to the allow them to absorb and
presence of partially filled f-orbitals, emit light when electrons
which can absorb light and emit it at jump between energy levels.
Lanthanoids form vibrant
different wavelengths, resulting in
colors, while actinoids' colors
different colours. For example,
are less intense. 
cerium (Ce) can form compounds
that are yellow or orange-red in
colour.
 0 18

Ar

5
Arg
on

Formation of
79
Complexes of 4f
Au
Gold and 5f Series
 Formation of Complexes of 4f and 5f
Series
Complexes are structures
formed when a central metal ion
binds to surrounding molecules
or ions. f-Block elements readily
form complexes due to their
multiple oxidation states and
large size, making them
valuable in many industrial and
research applications
The f-block elements can also form
complexes with other molecules or
ions. These complexes are formed
due to the ability of the f-block
elements to donate electrons from
their partially filled f-orbitals. For
example, europium (Eu) can form a
complex with
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
(EDTA), which is used in analytical
chemistry for the determination of
metal ions.
0
6
Alloy 3

formation of Lith
LI
4f and 5f
iu m

series
79

Au
Gold
 Alloy formation of 4f and 5f
series
Alloys are mixtures of metals
with other metals or non-
metals. F-Block elements form
various alloys, which have
unique properties beneficial in
different applications, like
magnets, batteries, and
specialized steel production
Ca
29
um
alci
C
The f-block elements can also form
alloys with other metals. These
alloys exhibit unique properties
such as high strength, high melting
points, and high corrosion
resistance. For example, samarium-
cobalt (SmCo) magnets are used in
various applications due to their
high magnetic strength.
 0 18

Ar

7
Arg
on

Lanthanoid
79
contraction and
Au
Gold its consequences
29

Ca
Calcium
 Lanthanoid contraction
What are Lanthanoids ?
Lanthanides (4f series) are the inner
transition elements of the modern
periodic table i.e. the elements with
atomic numbers from 57 to 71
Lanthanoid Contraction.
The steady decrease in the atomic size
of lanthanides on increasing the atomic
number is due to the increasing the
nuclear charge and electrons entering
the inner (n-2)f orbital .This steady
decrease in the size with an increasing
atomic number is called lanthanide
contraction.
 Consequences of Lanthanoid
Contraction
Atomic size:
• The size of the atom of the third Difficulty in the separation
transition series is closely the of lanthanides
same as that of the atom of the
second transition series. For • As there is only a minute change in
example, the atomic radius the ionic radii of lanthanides, their
chemical properties are the same.
of Zr(Zirconium) = atomic
This makes the separation very
radius of Hf(Hafnium) and the difficult.
atomic radius of Nb(Niobium)
=atomic radius
of Ta(Tantalium) , etc.
0 29

Ca
8
Chemical
Calcium

Reactivity of Lith
LI
f-block
iu m

elements
79

Au
Gold
 Chemical Reactivity of f-block
elements
1. Oxygen: The f-block
elements readily react 2. Hydrogen: The f-block
with oxygen to form elements can react with
oxides. These oxides hydrogen to form hydrides.
3. Halogens: The f-
often have complex These hydrides can exhibit a
block elements can
stoichiometries and can range of properties, such as
react with halogens
exhibit a range of high melting and boiling
to form halides.
properties, such as high points and good thermal
These halides can
melting points and good stability.
exhibit a range of
thermal stability. properties, such as
high melting and
boiling points and
good thermal
 Chemical Reactivity of f-block
4. Sulphur: The f-block
elements
elements can react with 5. Water: The f-block
sulphur to form elements can react with water
sulphides. These to form hydroxides. These
sulphides can exhibit a hydroxides can exhibit a
range of properties, range of properties, such as
such as high melting high melting and boiling
and boiling points and points and good thermal
good thermal stability. stability. Additionally, some f-
block elements can react with
water to produce hydrogen
gas.
 Chemical Reactivity of f-
block elements
6. Carbon: The f-block
elements can react with
carbon to form carbides. 7. Nitrogen: The f-block
These carbides can elements can react with
exhibit a range of nitrogen to form nitrides.
properties, such as high These nitrides can exhibit
melting and boiling a range of properties, such
points and good thermal as high melting and
stability. boiling points and good
thermal stability.
0
9
29

Ca
Calcium 3

Actinoids - Lith
LI
Oxidation
iu m

States
79

Au
Gold
Actinoids - Oxidation States
The actinoids are elements in the f-block of the periodic
table, and they have a wide range of oxidation states.
An oxidation state is a measure of the number of
electrons an atom has gained, lost, or shared in a
chemical reaction. The actinoids oxidation states
frequently range from +2 to +7, but a few elements
can have oxidation states lower than +2 or higher than
+7. This is because the electrons in the actinoid f-
orbitals are less shielded from the nucleus than those
in the lanthanides, and therefore more available for
bonding. The actinoids oxidation states can be
influenced by the type of compound they are forming.
 1 18

Ar

0
Arg
on

Comparison
between
79
Actinoids and
Au
Gold Lanthanoids
 Comparison between Actinoids
and Lanthanoids
1. Lanthanoids are involved in the filling of 4f
orbitals, whereas actinoids are involved in the
filling of 5f orbitals. The binding energy of 4f
electrons is comparatively less than that of 5f
electrons. The shielding effect of 5f electrons is less 2. The paramagnetic properties of
effective as compared to that of 4f electrons. lanthanoids can be easily explained, but
this explanation is difficult in the case of
actinoids.
3. Lanthanides do not have a tendency
to form oxo-cations, but several oxo-
cations of actinide series exist. The
compounds formed by lanthanides are 4. Lanthanides are non-radioactive in
less basic; on the other hand, the nature except promethium, whereas all
compounds of actinides are highly basic. actinide series elements are radioactive.