Question

Explain the inert pair effect by giving example.

Answer 1

Answer on Question #53529 – Chemistry – General chemistry

Question:

Explain the inert pair effect by giving example.

Answer:

The inert pair effect is a tendency of electrons sitting on the outmost atomic orbitals to be pulled closer to nucleus. This increases ionization energy for these electrons to make them more inert. The effect is found appreciable in the post-transition elements, which have huge number of completed electronic shells and big atomic radii. For instance, the lighter elements of group III has more stable oxidation state of +3 (B, Al), but the heavier atoms reveal a tendency to be in oxidation state of +1 (Ga, In, Tl). The stabilization of E(I) compound increases in order of increasing atomic number: B, Al, Ga, In, Tl.

This can be explained by the variety of completed electronic shells (in particular d, f) which favors the increase of ionization energy for electrons from the outmost s orbital:

Ga 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p¹

In 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p⁶4d¹⁰5s²5p¹

Tl 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p⁶4d¹⁰5s²5p⁶4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²6p¹

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