F- Block Elements

F-Block Elements - Inner Transition Elements,

comprise a group of elements located in the two rows at
the bottom of the periodic table. Elements with filled f
orbitals are found within this section. The f-block is
positioned in the sixth and seventh periods of the periodic
table, with the sixth period referred to as the lanthanide
series and the seventh as the actinide series.
In this article, we will discuss the topic of F-Block
Elements, including their properties, position in the
periodic table, electronic configurations, as well as their
real-world applications
What are F Block Elements?
F-Block elements are those in which the last electron
enters any of each seven F orbital of their ante-
penultimate shell. The electrons in these elements are
distributed as follows: (1 to 14) in the f orbital, (0 to 1) in
the d orbital of the penultimate energy level, and (0 to 1)
in the outermost orbital.
There are fourteen elements in each series that occupy
the 'F' orbital. The F-block is situated between groups 3
and 4 in the sixth and seventh periods of the periodic
table.
F-Block Elements as Inner Transition Elements
F-Block Elements are often referred to as Inner
Transition elements because they are positioned within
the Transition metals, forming a bridge between the s-
block and d-block elements on the left side of the periodic
table and the p-block elements on the right side.
The inner transition elements include the lanthanides (4f-
series) and actinides (5f-series). The term "Inner
Transition" emphasizes the fact that the F-block
elements have their outermost electrons filling the F
orbitals, which are inner electron shells.
Electronic Configuration of F Block Elements
The electronic configuration of the F-block elements,
specifically the lanthanides (4f-series) and actinides (5f-
series), can be understood by looking at the filling of their
F orbitals.
General Electronic Configuration
The general electronic configuration of F-block elements
is : (n-2) f1-14 (n-1) d0-2 ns2. The elements included in
these two series are called the Inner Transition
Elements.
 Lanthanides (4f-series ): The general outer

electronic configuration for the Lanthanides is [Xe]

6s2 4f1 where i represents the position of the
specific lanthanide in the series. Each lanthanide
element has an increasing value of n (the principal
quantum number) for the 4f orbitals.
For example, for Cerium (Ce), the electronic configuration
would be [Xe] 6s2 4f1, and for lutetium (Lu), it would be
[Xe] 6s2 4f14.
 Actinides (5f-series) : The general outer electronic

configuration for the Actinides is [Rn] 7s25f1 where i

represents the position of the specific actinide in
 the series. The actinides have increasing values of n for
the 5f orbitals.
For example, for uranium (U), the electronic configuration
would be [Rn] 7s1 5f3, and for lawrencium (Lr), it would
be [Rn] 7s2 5f14 7p1.
Anomalous Electron Configurations
The anomalies arise due to the complex interplay of
electron-electron repulsions, shielding effects, and the
energy levels of orbitals, and they deviate from the
expected patterns seen in simpler electron configurations.
The competition between different energy levels and
subshells can lead to these anomalies in the electron
configurations of F-Block elements. Some examples are:
 Ytterbium (Yb): Ytterbium exhibits an anomalous

electron configuration, [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d1 6p0, instead

of the expected [Xe] 6s² 4f14 5d¹. This anomaly is
again attributed to the stability of having a half-filled 5d
subshell.
 Thorium (Th): Thorium has an anomalous electron

configuration of [Rn] 7s2 5f0 6d2 7p0, rather than the

expected [Rn] 7s2 5f1 6d1 7p0. The stability of a half-
filled 6d subshell is thought to be the reason for this
anomaly.
F-Block Elements in Periodic Table
F-block elements are located at the bottom of the periodic
table. They include the lanthanides (from atomic number
57 to 71) and actinides (from atomic number 89 to 103)
Classification of F Block Elements
F-block elements, also known as Inner Transition
elements, are classified into two main groups:
 Lanthanides (4f-series)
 Actinides (5f-series)

This classification is based on the filling of f orbitals and

the resulting electronic configurations of these elements.
Lanthanides (4f-series)
Lanthanides consist of 14 elements, starting with
lanthanum (La) and ending with lutetium (Lu), from atomic
numbers 57 to 71. They are characterized by the filling of
the 4f orbitals. Lanthanides are often collectively referred
to as the "rare earth elements." They share similar
chemical properties due to the gradual filling of the 4f
orbitals, resulting in comparable outer electron
configurations.
Actinides (5f-series)
Actinides comprise 15 elements, starting with actinium
(Ac) and extending beyond uranium (U) to lawrencium
(Lr), covering atomic numbers 89 to 103. They are
characterized by the filling of the 5f orbitals. Actinides are
radioactive in nature and also undergo radioactive decay,
emitting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Some
actinides, such as americium (Am) and curium (Cm), are
used in research and industrial applications .
Properties of F Block Elements
The F-block elements, comprising the Lanthanides (4f-
series) and Actinides (5f-series), possess unique
properties and some of the key properties of F-block
elements are :
 Radioactivity: Many actinides are radioactive. The

level of radioactivity increases with higher atomic

numbers.
 Colorful Ions: F-block elements, especially
lanthanides, can form colorful ions and complexes,
leading to their use in various color applications.
 Variability in Oxidation States: F-block
elements often exhibit multiple oxidation states. The
stability of different oxidation states varies within the
series.
Characteristics of Lanthanides
Lanthanide exhibit several unique characteristics that
distinguish them from other elements. Some of the key
characteristics of the lanthanides are :
 Metallic Properties: Lanthanides are metals with

typical metallic properties, including high electrical

conductivity. They have a shiny appearance and can be
ductile and malleable and have magnetic properties
also due to unpaired electrons.
 High Melting and Boiling Points: Lanthanides

generally have high melting and boiling points,

contributing to their use in various high-temperature
applications and are also good conductors of heat and
electricity.
 Ionization Energy: Lanthanides generally have

relatively high ionization energies, reflecting the

difficulty of removing electrons from the inner 4f
orbitals.
 Similar Chemical Properties : Lanthanides

share similar chemical properties due to the gradual

filling of the 4f orbitals, resulting in comparable outer
 electron configurations. They often form color
compounds and ions.
Characteristics of Actinides
Actinides are a series of chemical elements found in
Group 3 of the periodic table and its important
characteristics are:
 Complex Electronic Structure : Actinides have

complex electronic structures due to the filling of 5f

orbitals. This complexity leads to variations in their
chemical and physical properties.
 Multiple Oxidation States : Actinides exhibit

multiple oxidation states, and their chemistry is

characterized by the ability to form a wide range of
compounds. Common oxidation states include +3, +4,
+5, +6, and +7.
 Fission Properties: Many actinides, particularly

uranium and plutonium, are important in nuclear fission

reactions. Uranium-235, for example, is used as a fuel
in nuclear reactors.
 Radioactive Decay Series: Actinides often

participate in radioactive decay series. For example,

uranium-238 undergoes a series of decays to
eventually become stable lead-206.
Difference between Lanthanoid and
Actinide
Some of the common differences between
lanthanoid and actinide are:
 Lanthanoid Actinide

Lanthanides starts from Actinides, starts from actinium

lanthanum (La) and ends with (Ac) and extends down to
lutetium (Lu), spanning atomic lawrencium (Lr), covering
numbers 57 to 71. atomic numbers 89 to 103.

Actinides, while also having

Lanthanides share similar
similar chemical properties,
chemical properties due to the
exhibit a wider range of
filling of the 4f orbitals and also
oxidation states compared to
exhibit Lanthanoid contraction
lanthanides.

Some Lanthanides have stable Many actinides, especially the

isotopes, and their radioactive heavier ones, have unstable
isotopes have relatively long and radioactive isotopes with
half-lives. shorter half-lives.

Difference between Lanthanoid and

Actinide Contraction
Some of the most common differences between
lanthenoid and actinide contraction are listed in the
following table:
Lanthanoid Contraction Actinide Contraction

Due to the poor shielding of 4F

electrons which leads to a It refers to the phenomenon
stronger effective nuclear where there is a decrease in
charge felt by the outer the atomic and ionic radii of the
electrons, causing a elements in the lanthanide
contraction in the atomic and series
ionic radii.
 Lanthanoid Contraction Actinide Contraction

The lanthanoid contraction has The properties of Actinides are

several consequences in terms influenced by their electronic
of properties such as atomic configuration, including the
size, ionization energy, and filling of 5f orbitals, but the
chemical behavior across the Actinide contraction is not
lanthanide series. used.

Applications of F Block Elements

The F-block elements, which include the Lanthanides and
Actinides have several important applications across
various fields. Important applications of F-block elements
are :
 Lanthanides in Catalysts: Lanthanides such as

cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium are used as

catalysts in various industrial processes. For example,
cerium oxide is used in automotive catalytic converters
to reduce emissions.
 Magnetic Properties: Some F-block elements,

especially the lanthanides, exhibit strong magnetic

properties. Gadolinium, for instance, is used in
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent
due to its magnetic properties.
 Medicine: Some Lanthanides have medical

applications. Gadolinium is used as a contrast agent in

MRI scans, and samarium is used in the treatment of
certain types of cancer.
 Lighting and Display Technologies : Europium

and terbium, two lanthanides, are used in the

production of phosphors for fluorescent lamps and LED
 screens. These phosphors emit light in response to
excitation, contributing to the color display.
 Radioactive Dating: Thorium and uranium isotopes
are used in radioactive dating techniques to determine
the age of rocks and archaeological artifacts.
Conclusion
F-block elements, also known as inner transition elements
encompassing both Lanthanides and Actinides, exhibit a
wide range of applications across different scientific,
industrial, and technological domains. Their unique
electronic configurations and properties make them
indispensable in various processes.