Topic

An alloy is a solid solution of two or more elements in a metallic matrix. It can either be a partial solid solution or a complete solid solution. Alloys are usually found to possess different physical properties than those of the component elements.
An important alloy of lanthanoids is Mischmetal. It contains lanthanoids (94?95%), iron (5%), and traces of S, C, Si, Ca, and Al.
Uses :
(1) Mischmetal is used in cigarettes and gas lighters.
(2) It is used in flame throwing tanks.
(3) It is used in tracer bullets and shells.

Inner transition metals are those elements in which the last electron enters the f-orbital. The elements in which the 4f and the 5f orbitals are progressively filled are called f-block elements. Among the given atomic numbers, the atomic numbers of the inner transition elements are 59, 95, and 102.

Lanthanoids primarily show three oxidation states ( +2, +3, +4). Among these oxidation states, +3 state is the most common. Lanthanoids display a limited number of oxidation states because the energy difference between 4f, 5d, and 6s orbitals is quite large. On the other hand, the energy difference between 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals is very less. Hence, actinoids display a large number of oxidation states. For example, uranium and plutonium display +3, +4, +5, and +6 oxidation states while neptunium displays +3, +4, +5, and +7. The most common oxidation state in case of actinoids is also +3.

The last element in the actinoid series is lawrencium, Lr. Its atomic number is 103 and its electronic configuration is [Rn] 5f¹⁴6d¹7s². The most common oxidation state displayed by it is 3; because after losing 3 electrons it attains stable f¹⁴ configuration.

: Electronic configuration:
The general electronic configuration for lanthanoids is [Xe] ⁵⁴ 4f^0-142 5d^0-1 6s² and that for actinoids is [Rn] ⁸⁶ 5f^1-14 6d^0-1 7s². Unlike 4f orbitals, 5f orbitals are not deeply buried and participate in bonding to a greater extent.
Oxidation states:
The principal oxidation state of lanthanoids is ( +3). However, sometimes we also encounter oxidation states of +2 and +4. This is because of extra stability of fully-filled and half-filled orbitals. Actinoids exhibit a greater range of oxidation states. This is because the 5f, 6d, and 7s levels are of comparable energies. Again, ( +3) is the principal oxidation state for actinoids. Actinoids such as lanthanoids have more compounds in +3 state than in +4 state.
Chemical reactivity:
In the lanthanide series, the earlier members of the series are more reactive. They have reactivity that is comparable to Ca. With an increase in the atomic number, the lanthanides start behaving similar to Al. Actinoids, on the other hand, are highly reactive metals, especially when they are finely divided. When they are added to boiling water, they give a mixture of oxide and hydride. Actinoids combine with most of the non-metals at moderate temperatures. Alkalies have no action on these actinoids. In case of acids, they are slightly affected by nitric acid (because of the formation of a protective oxide layer).

The properties of the elements of the first transition series differ from those of the heavier transition elements in many ways.
(i) The atomic sizes of the elements of the first transition series are smaller than those of the heavier elements (elements of 2^nd and 3^rd transition series).
However, the atomic sizes of the elements in the third transition series are virtually the same as those of the corresponding members in the second transition series. This is due to lanthanoid contraction. (ii) +2 and +3 oxidation states are more common for elements in the first transition series, while higher oxidation states are more common for the heavier elements.
(iii) The enthalpies of atomisation of the elements in the first transition series are lower than those of the corresponding elements in the second and third transition series.
(iv) The melting and boiling points of the first transition series are lower than those of the heavier transition elements. This is because of the occurrence of stronger metallic bonding (M?M bonding).
(v) The elements of the first transition series form low-spin or high-spin complexes depending upon the strength of the ligand field. However, the heavier transition elements form only low-spin complexes, irrespective of the strength of the ligand field.