Question

Differentiate Lanthanides and Actinides.

Answer 1

Lanthanides	Actinides
1. Binding energies of 4f electrons are higher.	1. Bending energies of 5f electrons are lower.
2. Maximum oxidation state exhibited by lanthanides is +4 e.g. Ce${}^{4+}$	2. Due to lower binding energies they show higher oxidation state such as +4, +5 and +6. Uranium exhibits +6 oxidation state in UF${}_6$ and UO${}_2$Cl${}_2$.
3. 4f electrons have greater shielding effect.	3. 5f electrons have poor shielding effect.
4. Most of their ions are colourless	4. Most of their ions are coloured U${}^{3+}$ (red), U${}^{4+}$ (green) and UO${}_2^{2+}$ (yellow)
5. They are paramagnetic but magnetic properties can be easily explained	5. They are also paramagnetic but their magnetic properties are very difficult to interpret.
6. They do not form complexes easily	6. They have much greater tendency to form complexes.
7. Except promethium, they are non-radioactive.	7. All of them are radio active.
8. Their compounds are less basic.	8. Their compounds are more basic.
9. They do not form oxocations	9. They form oxocations such as $U{O}_2^{2+},U{O}^{+},Np{O}_2^{+},Pu{O}_2^{+}$

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