The lanthanide series consists of 15 metallic elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, from lanthanum (La) to lutetium (Lu). They are known for their similar properties and are often found together in various minerals.
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Lanthanides are f-block elements, meaning their highest-energy electrons occupy f-orbitals.
They exhibit +3 oxidation states predominantly but can also show +2 and +4 oxidation states in some compounds.
Lanthanides have high magnetic susceptibility and are used in manufacturing strong permanent magnets.
Due to the lanthanide contraction, these elements have smaller atomic and ionic radii compared to other elements in the same period.
Lanthanides are commonly found in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite.
Review Questions
What is the common oxidation state exhibited by lanthanides?
Why do lanthanides have smaller atomic radii than expected?
In what types of minerals are lanthanides typically found?
Related terms
Transition Metals: Elements that have partially filled d-orbitals and exhibit a wide range of oxidation states.
Coordination Chemistry: A branch of chemistry focused on the study of coordination compounds formed between metal ions and ligands.
Lanthanide Contraction: The phenomenon where lanthanide elements experience a decrease in ionic radii across the series despite increasing atomic number due to poor shielding by f-electrons.