A transition metal '$\mathrm{M}$' among $\mathrm{Sc}, \mathrm{Ti}, \mathrm{V}, \mathrm{Cr}, \mathrm{Mn}$ and $\mathrm{Fe}$ has the highest second ionisation enthalpy. The spin-only magnetic moment value of $\mathrm{M}^{+}$ ion is _______ BM (Near integer)
(Given atomic number $$\mathrm{Sc}: 21, \mathrm{Ti}: 22, \mathrm{~V}: 23, \mathrm{Cr}: 24, \mathrm{Mn}: 25, \mathrm{Fe}: 26$$)
Solution
<p><strong>Identify which metal (M) has the highest second ionization enthalpy.</strong> </p>
<p>We are comparing the elements Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe in terms of their second ionization enthalpy (IE₂). Recall:</p>
<p><p>The <em>second</em> ionization enthalpy (IE₂) is the energy required to remove one electron from the singly charged ion $ \mathrm{M}^{+} $ to form $ \mathrm{M}^{2+} $.</p></p>
<p><p>For most 3d transition metals, the first electron is removed from the 4s orbital. </p></p>
<p><p>Particularly large values of IE₂ often occur if, after removal of the first electron, one is forced to remove an electron from a <em>stable</em> configuration (e.g., half-filled d-orbital).</p>
<p>Let us outline the ground-state (neutral atom) electron configurations and the removal of the first and second electrons:</p></p>
<p><p><strong>Sc</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^1\,4s^2 $</p>
<p><p>$\mathrm{Sc} \rightarrow \mathrm{Sc}^{+}$: remove 1 electron from 4s </p></p>
<p><p>$\mathrm{Sc}^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{Sc}^{2+}$: remove the <em>second</em> 4s electron </p></p>
<p><p>Final: $\mathrm{Sc}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^1$</p></p></p>
<p><p><strong>Ti</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^2\,4s^2 $</p>
<p><p>1st electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Ti}^{+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^2\,4s^1$ </p></p>
<p><p>2nd electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Ti}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^2$</p></p></p>
<p><p><strong>V</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^3\,4s^2 $</p>
<p><p>1st electron from 4s → $\mathrm{V}^{+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^3\,4s^1$ </p></p>
<p><p>2nd electron from 4s → $\mathrm{V}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^3$</p></p></p>
<p><p><strong>Cr</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^5\,4s^1 $</p>
<p><p>1st electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Cr}^{+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^5$ (a <strong>stable half-filled</strong> d$^{5}$ configuration)</p></p>
<p><p>2nd electron now <em>must</em> come from the 3d shell → $\mathrm{Cr}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^4$</p>
<p>Because removing an electron from a <em>half-filled</em> d$^{5}$ orbital costs a lot of energy, $\mathrm{Cr}$ generally has a notably high second IE.</p></p></p>
<p><p><strong>Mn</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^5\,4s^2 $</p>
<p><p>1st electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Mn}^{+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^5\,4s^1$ </p></p>
<p><p>2nd electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Mn}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^5$ (thus <em>still</em> d$^{5}$ in the end)</p>
<p>The second ionization for Mn is large but <em>less</em> dramatic than for Cr because Mn$^{2+}$ <em>ends</em> with a half-filled d$^{5}$. You are <em>not</em> removing from a half-filled d$^{5}$ to get Mn$^{2+}$.</p></p></p>
<p><p><strong>Fe</strong> $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr] 3d^6\,4s^2 $</p>
<p><p>1st electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Fe}^{+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^6\,4s^1$ </p></p>
<p><p>2nd electron from 4s → $\mathrm{Fe}^{2+} = [\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^6$</p></p>
<p>From experimental data (and the arguments above), <strong>$\mathrm{Cr}$</strong> indeed has the <em>highest</em> second ionization enthalpy among these six metals. </p></p>
<p><p><strong>Determine the electronic configuration of $\mathbf{Cr}^{+}$ and its spin-only magnetic moment.</strong> </p></p>
<p><p>Neutral $\mathrm{Cr}$: $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr]\,3d^5\,4s^1$</p></p>
<p><p>$\mathrm{Cr}^{+}$: Removal of the 4s electron ⇒ $\bigl[ \mathrm{Ar} \bigr]\,3d^5$</p>
<p>The $3d^5$ configuration has <strong>5 unpaired electrons</strong>. </p>
<p>The spin-only magnetic moment $\mu$ is given by</p>
<p>$ \mu = \sqrt{n(n+2)} \; \mathrm{BM}, $</p>
<p>where $n$ = number of unpaired electrons. Here $n = 5$, so</p>
<p>$ \mu = \sqrt{5(5+2)} \;=\; \sqrt{35} \;\approx\; 5.92 \;\text{BM}. $</p>
<p>This is often rounded to about <strong>5.9</strong> or <strong>6.0 BM</strong>.</p></p>
About this question
Subject: Chemistry · Chapter: d and f Block Elements · Topic: Properties of Transition Metals
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