Zinc electronic configurations

Zinc, Cu and Ni have similar ionic radii and electron configurations (Table 5.6). Due to the similarity of the ionic radii of these three metals with Fe and Mg, Zn, Cu and Ni are capable of isomorphous substitution of Fe2+ and Mg2+ in the layer silicates. Due to differences in the electronegativity, however, isomorphous substitution of Cu2+ in silicates may be limited by the greater Pauling electronegativity of Cu2+ (2.0), whereas Zn2+ (1.6) and Ni2+ (1.8) are relatively more readily substituted for Fe2+ (1.8) or Mg2+ (1.3) (McBride, 1981). The three metals also readily coprecipitate with and form solid solutions in iron oxides (Lindsay, 1979 Table 5.7). 

As a consequence of its closed-shell electron configuration, zinc has a negative electron affinity, that is, the removal of an electron from Zn is exothermic. The electronegativity of zinc (1.588 PU) is intermediate between those of the alkaline earth metals and the first row transition metals and remarkably similar to that of beryllium (1.57 PU). 

Zinc, cadmium and mercury are at the end of the transition series and have electron configurations ndw(n + l)s2 with filled d shells. They do not form any compound in which the d shell is other than full (unlike the metals Cu, Ag and Au of the preceding group) these metals therefore do not show the variable valence which is one of the characteristics of the transition metals. In this respect these metals are regarded as non-transition elements. They show, however, some resemblance to the d-metals for instance in their ability to form complexes (with NH3, amines, cyanide, halide ions, etc.). 

When we consider the electronic configurations of the elements from scandium to zinc, we are usually filling the 3d subshell according to the aufbau principle. Once again, the electronic configuration has to fit in with the electron arrangement given in the SQA Data Booklet. 

The table shows the electronic configuration in spectroscopic and orbital box notation for the elements from scandium to zinc. [Ar] represents the electronic configuration of argon, which is Is 2s 2p 3s 3p . It is okay to use this shorthand here instead of writing out the full electron shells up to 3p. However, in the exam you should write out the spectroscopic notation for each element in full. 

In this section, we will discuss organometallic derivatives of zinc, cadmium, mercury, and indium. The group IIB and IIIB metals have the d10 electronic configuration in the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states, respectively. Because of the filled d level, the 2+ or 3+ oxidation states are quite stable, and reactions of the organometallics usually do not involve changes in oxidation level. This property makes the reactivity patterns of these organometallics more similar to those of derivatives of the group IA and IIA metals than to those of derivatives of transition metals with vacancies in the d levels. The IIB metals, however, are... 

It seems likely that a complete interpretation of the catalytic activities of these oxides must take account not only of the electron configurations of the ions, but also of the role of defects, including those which give rise to semiconductivity the importance of the latter has already been demonstrated in the cases of zinc oxide and chromic oxide. 

In general, simple dialkylzinc and diarylzinc compounds are monomers in which the zinc atom, as a consequence of its ground-state electronic configuration, is sp hybridized. Thus, such molecules contain a linear C—Zn—C arrangement. The only known exception to this rule is diphenylzinc, which in the solid state is a dimer formed via electron-deficient /r -bridging phenyl groups. 

Write the electron configurations of the atoms of the zinc subgroup elements. What oxidation states do these elements exhibit in their compounds Give examples. What position do these elements occupy in the electrochemical series ... 

H2O + 2e, 1.216 V. Electron configuration l 22y22pa3s23pic,4r2. Ionic radius Zn+2 0.75 A. Metallic radius 1.33245 A. Other physical properties of zinc are described under Chemical Elements. 

There are other subtleties in electron configurations for the transition elements illustrated in Table S.3. For all the neutral atoms from scandium to zinc, the 4s orbitals are the most easily ionized, and are removed first in... 

---