What Is Lutetium Atomic Number Electron Configuration Properties and Uses
What is Lutetium?
All the elements discovered so far are arranged in the Modern periodic table according to their atomic number (Z). The element with atomic number 71 is known as Lutetium. Its symbol is Lu. It belongs to the Lanthanide series of the f-block of the periodic table which consists of elements from atomic number 57 to 71. The electronic configuration of lutetium is 4f145d16s2 . It is not found in a pure state in nature but is obtained from its chloride through a reduction process by alkaline metals. Lutetium 177 is a radioactive isotope of Lutetium. Lutetium is a rare earth metal.
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Chemical Properties of Lutetium
The general chemical properties of Lanthanides are as follows-
The earlier members are quite reactive but with increasing, atomic number elements become less reactive.
Lanthanides react with hydrogen when slightly heated.
Carbides are formed when metals are heated with carbon.
They release hydrogen gas in reaction with acids.
They react with halogens to form halides. Lutetium forms trihalides.
They react with oxygen to give oxides. Lutetium can burn up to 150-degree Celcius to yield its oxide.
The oxidation states of Lu are +2 and +3.
Their hydroxides are alkaline just like alkaline earth metals.
Physical Properties of Lutetium
The general physical properties of Lanthanide elements are -
Lanthanides are silvery-white soft metals. Lutetium is also shiny white but is a solid and a hard metal.
The hardness of the metals in the lanthanide series increases with an increase in atomic number thus Lutetium is a very hard metal.
The melting point and boiling point of lanthanides are generally very high. Lutetium also has a very high melting point. Its reaction with oxygen takes place at a very high temperature.
The density of Lutetium is also very high and thus it is a dense metal. The density of lanthanoids changes smoothly except for Yb and Eu.
Colour is shown by many lanthanide ions. The colour is due to the unpaired electrons in their f orbitals. However, Lu+3 does not show any colour.
Paramagnetism is observed in lanthanide ions. However, Lu+3 does not show paramagnetism as it has 14 electrons in its f orbital (f14).
Lutetium has a very low value of third ionization enthalpy. It's due to the stability of empty/half-filled orbitals.
The atomic mass of Lutetium is 175.
Lutetium is a stable metal.
Lutetium is also malleable and ductile.
Certain Facts About Lutetium
Lutetium was discovered by George Ubain in 1907.
Lutetium is a toxic metal.
It explodes on heating so special care is taken when Lutetium is heated to carry out any reaction.
It causes various skin disorders if come in contact with the skin.
Lutetium 177 is radioactive and has a half-life of 6.7 days. It emits beta rays.
Lutetium was the earlier name of Lutetium. Its name was derived from the old name of Paris(France) which is Lutetia.
The atoms of Lu are the smallest of all the Lanthanides.
A major use of lanthanide elements is to produce alloy steels which are used for plates and pipe making.
Mischmetal is a well-known alloy of lanthanoid metal with iron. The major portion in the alloy is lanthanoid metal and the rest is iron (5%), traces of aluminium, calcium, carbon, etc.
FAQs on Lutetium Element Overview Structure Properties and Applications
1. What is lutetium and what type of element is it?
Lutetium is a chemical element with atomic number 71 and is classified as a lanthanide (rare earth element). It is represented by the symbol Lu in the periodic table.
- It belongs to the f-block of the periodic table.
- Lutetium is a dense, silvery-white metal.
- It is the last element in the lanthanide series.
- In most of its compounds, it exhibits an oxidation state of +3.
2. What is the atomic number and electron configuration of lutetium?
The atomic number of lutetium is 71 and its ground-state electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d1 6s2.
- It has 71 protons and 71 electrons in a neutral atom.
- The fully filled 4f14 subshell makes it the last lanthanide.
- The outer electrons (5d and 6s) are involved in bonding.
3. What are the common oxidation states of lutetium?
The most common and stable oxidation state of lutetium is +3.
- Lutetium forms the ion Lu3+ by losing three valence electrons.
- The +3 oxidation state is typical for lanthanides.
- Other oxidation states are extremely rare and not commonly observed in stable compounds.
4. Where is lutetium found in nature?
Lutetium is found in small amounts in rare earth minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite.
- It is one of the least abundant lanthanides in the Earth’s crust.
- It does not occur in free elemental form.
- It is obtained as a by-product during the separation of other rare earth elements.
5. What are the physical properties of lutetium?
Lutetium is a dense, silvery-white metal with a high melting point of about 1663°C.
- Atomic mass: approximately 174.97 u.
- Density: about 9.84 g/cm3 at room temperature.
- It is relatively hard and resistant to corrosion compared to many other lanthanides.
- It is paramagnetic due to unpaired electrons in the 5d subshell.
6. How does lutetium react with oxygen and acids?
Lutetium reacts slowly with oxygen to form lutetium(III) oxide, Lu2O3, and reacts with acids to form Lu3+ salts.
- With oxygen: 4Lu(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Lu2O3(s)
- With dilute hydrochloric acid: 2Lu(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2LuCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)
7. What are the uses of lutetium in chemistry and industry?
Lutetium is used in catalysis, medical imaging, and cancer therapy, especially in the form of radioactive isotopes.
- Lutetium-177 is used in targeted radionuclide therapy for certain cancers.
- Lutetium compounds are used as catalysts in petroleum cracking.
- Lutetium aluminum garnet (LuAG) is used in optical and laser materials.
8. What is lutetium-177 and why is it important?
Lutetium-177 is a radioactive isotope of lutetium used in targeted cancer therapy.
- It emits beta (β-) radiation suitable for destroying cancer cells.
- It has a half-life of about 6.7 days.
- It is commonly used in radiopharmaceuticals for treating neuroendocrine tumors.
9. What is the difference between lutetium and other lanthanides?
Lutetium differs from other lanthanides mainly because it has a completely filled 4f14 subshell and the smallest ionic radius in the series.
- It is the heaviest and last element of the lanthanide series.
- Due to lanthanide contraction, Lu3+ has a very small ionic radius.
- It shows slightly different chemical behavior compared to lighter lanthanides.
10. Is lutetium radioactive?
Natural lutetium is mostly stable, but it contains a small amount of the radioactive isotope Lutetium-176.
- About 2.6% of natural lutetium is Lu-176.
- Lu-176 has an extremely long half-life of about 3.78 × 1010 years.
- The most abundant isotope is stable Lu-175.
