Electronic configuration of metallic

The type of bonding found in metals is quite different from that in other crystals. As we compare the various main group and transition metals in the periodic table we see only small differences in electronegativity. So, there is little tendency for ionic bonding in metals. The electronic configurations of metal atoms, even in the transition metals, do not have nearly-filled subshells, so there is little tendency to form covalent bonds by sharing electrons to achieve a stable octet. The familiar classical models of chemical bonding (see Chapter 3) do not extend to metals. 

Characteristic of d-block transition elements. Covalent interaction between 2p orbitals of ligand and valence orbitals, (n-l)d, ns and np of metal (Chapter 6). Involvement of metal d-orbitals important. 18-Electron configuration of metal commonly associated with kinetic stability. ... 

However, consideration of the electronic configuration of metal atoms will not suffice to account for many of the features of the chemistry of the alkali metal derivatives of the metal carbonyls or any other branch of metal carbonyl or similar chemistry. 

Electron configuration of metal clusters with itinerant electrons is represented in terms of the phenomenological shell model (PSM). The main assumption of this model is that the itinerant electrons are confined in a box according to the cluster shape, and these determine the properties of the given cluster to a great extent. This model was developed to explain the observed stability patterns of sodium clusters and has been successfully applied in other elements (such as Li, Al, Cu) and properties (such as ionization energy, electronaffinity). Furthermore, it was formulated for different cluster shapes and also for doped metal clusters. In this chapter, we aim to demonstrate that the aromaticity of metal clusters can be interpreted in terms of the PSM, which can be used to formulate the criteria to obtain a closed electronic structure in different cluster shapes. Therefore, the PSM provides the different electron... 

Polyatomic molecules cover such a wide range of different types that it is not possible here to discuss the MOs and electron configurations of more than a very few. The molecules that we shall discuss are those of the general type AFI2, where A is a first-row element, formaldehyde (FI2CO), benzene and some regular octahedral transition metal complexes. 

As befits the electron configuration of elemental calcium, the metal is very reactive, readily losing two valence electrons to form the dispositive ion. In aqueous solution and ia its compounds, is colorless. Most calcium compounds ate white, unless the cation is paired with a colored anion. The ion... 

In general, octahedral complexes of transition-metal ions possessing 0, 1, or 2 electrons beyond the electronic configuration of the preceding noble gas, ie, i/, (P configurations, are labile. The (P systems are usually inert the relative lability of vanadium(II) may be charge and/or redox related. 

It is possible to explain these trends in terms of the electron configurations of the corresponding atoms. Consider first the increase in radius observed as we move down the table, let us say among the alkali metals (Group 1). All these elements have a single s electron outside a filled level or filled p sublevel. Electrons in these inner levels are much closer to the nucleus than the outer s electron and hence effectively shield it from the positive charge of the nucleus. To a first approximation, each inner electron cancels the charge of one pro-... 

Perhaps the most obvious metallic property is reflectivity or luster. With few exceptions (gold, copper, bismuth, manganese) all metals have a silvery white color which results from reflecting all frequencies of light. We have said previously that the electron configuration of a substance determines the way in which it interacts with light. Apparently the characteristic reflectivity of metals indicates that all metals have a special type of electron configuration in common. 

FIGURE 2.2 When a main-group metal atom forms a cation, it loses its valence s-and p-electrons and acquires the electron configuration of the preceding noble-gas atom. The heavier atoms in Croups 1 S/lll and 14/IV retain their complete subshells of d-electrons. 

To predict the electron configuration of a monatomic cation, remove outermost electrons in the order np, ns, and (n — l)d fora monatomic anion, add electrons until the next noble-gas configuration has been reached. The transfer of electrons results in the formation of an octet (or duplet) of electrons in the valence shell on each of the atoms metals achieve an octet (or duplet) by electron loss and nonmetals achieve it by electron gain. 

Valence and oxidation state are directly related to the valence-shell electron configuration of a group. Binary hydrides are classified as saline, metallic, or molecular. Oxides of metals tend to be ionic and to form basic solutions in water. Oxides of nonmetals are molecular and many are the anhydrides of acids. 

As in the discussion of hydrogen, in this section we examine the properties of the alkali metals in the context of the periodic table and focus on significant applications of the elements and selected compounds. The valence electron configuration of the alkali metals is s1, where n is the period number. Their physical and chemical properties are dominated by the ease with which the single valence electron can be removed (Table 14.3). 

The valence electron configuration of the atoms of the Group 2 elements is ns1. The second ionization energy is low enough to be recovered from the lattice enthalpy (Fig. 14.18). Flence, the Group 2 elements occur with an oxidation number of +2, as the cation M2+, in all their compounds. Apart from a tendency toward nonmetallic character in beryllium, the elements have all the chemical characteristics of metals, such as forming basic oxides and hydroxides. 

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