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a) Derive the electronic configurations of the p-block elements. (b) The inert pair effect This applies to Groups 3,4 and 5. The effect refers to the fact that the lower valency values become more stable as the group is descended. Group 4
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a) Derive the electronic configurations of the p-block elements
(b) The inert pair effect This applies to Groups 3,4 and 5. The effect refers to the fact that the lower valency values become more stable as the group is descended. Group 4 All of the elements in the group have the outer electronic structure ns2np2. The oxidation state of +4 is where all these outer electrons are directly involved in the bonding. Closer to the bottom of the group, there is an increasing tendency for the s2 pair not to be used in the bonding. This is often known as the inert pair effect. It is dominant in lead chemistry. In Group 4, the +2 oxidation state is more stable for lead and tin than for germanium. Carbon and silicon exhibit oxidation state C IV and Si IV (carbon monoxide is an exception). The reasons for this increasing stability of the lower oxidation state are complex and are beyond the scope of this specification. The lower valency states have a greater percentage of ionic bonding. It should be remembered that for germanium, although Ge II exists Ge IV is the more stable. Sn II and Sn IV have similar stabilities but that Pb II is more stable than Pb IV. Sn2+ and Pb2+ occur in predominantly ionic compounds. For help, always look at a copy of the periodic table.
Maximum Covalency- an example of hybridisation, not available to the particularly small atoms of elements that are in the second period Elements which have vacant d-orbital can expand their octet by transferring electrons, which arise after unpairing, to these vacant d-orbital e.g. in sulphur. In excited state sulphur has six unpaired electrons and shows a valency of six e.g. in SF6. Thus an element can show a maximum covalency equal to its group number e.g. chlorine shows maximum covalency of seven.
Amphoteric Behaviour An element, a compound or an ion is said to be amphoteric if it reacts with both acids and alkalis. The amphoteric nature of aluminium metal itself may be illustrated by its reaction with hydrochloric acid and with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide. 2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g) 2Al(s) + 6NaOH(aq) + 6H2O 2Na3[Al(OH)6] + 3H2(g) When aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to aqueous lead (II) nitrate, a white precipitate of lead (II) hydroxide is formed. Pb2+(aq) + 2OH(aq) Pb(OH)2(s) On addition of excess aqueous sodium hydroxide, the white precipitate dissolves to give a colourless solution containing the plumbate (II) ion. Pb(OH)2(s) + 2OH(aq) [Pb(OH)4]2(aq) Addition of acid to the solution containing the plumbate (II) ion will re-precipitate the lead (II) hydroxide which in turn will dissolve in more acid to form aqueous Pb2+ ions.