We all have studied periodic tables up to Higher Secondary which was quite interesting to learn here in this article we have to distinguish the two elements from periodic tables from the chemistry session. It seems very similar in their chemical property since they both are found in the F block as their valance electron is in F orbit. Moving further visual differences are elaborated below.
Lanthanides vs Actinides
The main difference between Lanthanides and Actinides is that Lanthanides have glittery and silvery appearances and Actinides are found in dark-deep colors. The Binding energy of Lanthanides is comparatively low in comparison with the binding energy of Actinides. The Oxidation state of Lanthanides is +4 whereas Actinides have a +6 oxidation state.
The term Lanthanides refers to the chemical elements present in the Lanthaniod series of the periodic tables since their valance electrons are located in f orbital. They gave a very low capacity to form complexes and apart from the +3 oxidation state they have a +4 oxidation state also. The lanthanide element is quite small in size.
The term Actinides refers to the chemical elements present in the Actinoid series of periodic tables. The elements present in the Actinide series belong to the radioactive category. They have a very high capacity to form complexes. The majority of them are found in deep colors. Though it is metal but has a soft tendency.
Comparison Table Between Lanthanides and Actinides
| Parameters of Comparison | Lanthanides | Actinides |
| Atomic No. | In Lanthanides atomic number ranges from 57 to 71 at the periodic table. | In Actinides atomic number ranges from 89 to 103 at the periodic table. |
| Elements | No radioactive elements are present in Lanthanides except Promethium. | The radioactive elements are present in Actinides. |
| Oxidation | Lanthanides can have plus-four oxidation states. | Actinides can have plus six oxidation states. |
| Electrons | The position of valance electrons is in the 4f orbital. | The position of valance electrons is in the 5f orbital. |
| Location | A chemical element found in the Lanthanoid series of inner transition is called Lanthanides. | A chemical element found in the Actinoid series of inner transition is called Actinides. |
What are Lanthanides?
The Lanthanides are present at the bottom of the periodic table of chemistry and are called f block elements to have 1 to 10 electrons. They are found to be indulged in the filling of 4f orbital and their energy to bind the electrons is not much high as compared to 5f orbital as present in Actinides. They are normally non-radioactive apart from promethium. It forms a very less basic compound.
The Lanthanides series initiate from the series namely Lanthum and they are called inner soft series metal. The range of atomic number of Lanthanides ranges from 57 to 71 in the periodic table containing the very large types of atoms. They are metallic elements therefore oxidization process is held in moist air and has the property to dissolve fast in acids.
The very common oxidization state of Lanthanides is +3 which is similar to Actinides but it can go up to +4. The molecules form by it are not much complex in nature also less basic. They are electropositive elements as a feature in it. The size of atoms or ions tends to decrease throughout the table in lanthanides. They have different capacities to form a transition series which is first in order.
What are Actinides?
The Actinides are present at the bottom of the periodic table of chemistry having radioactive elements. They constitute the second transition in the inner series. Eventually, the compound formed by Actinides is highly basic. Bright colors are the identity of Actinides which is usually Red, green as present in U4 and U3. The Actinide Series starts from alphabet A therefore they have been given the name of the Actinide series. Due to their unstable nature, all the Actinides are radioactive.
Atomic number series 89 to 103 belongs to Actinides which consists of chemical elements. The most prominent Actinides present on earth are Uranium and Thorium, Both of them are weakly radioactive. Actinides realize high energy during radioactive decay. It creates hydroxide and basic oxides. The majority of the complex Actinides are colorful. In addition to the +3 oxidization state, they show up to the +6 state of oxidization.
Actinides are toxic compounds due to their behavior activities which are heavy metal and radioactive. All of them are soft and silver Actinides compounds. High density and plasticity are some of the properties of Actinides. Few Actinides can be cut with the help of a knife this shows their soft characteristics. Members of the Actinides series tend to generate multiple electrons.
Main Differences Between Lanthanides and Actinides
- Tendency: The Lanthanides have a low capacity to form complexes as compared to Actinides which have a high tendency.
- Ions: The Ions present in Lanthanides are usually colorless whereas Ions present in Actinides are bright for example U3 and U4.
- Compound: The Compound of Lanthanides is not much basic on the contrary the compound present in Actinides is more basic.
- Transition: Lanthanides constitute the first transition in the inner series and Actinides constitute the second transition in the inner series.
- Origin: In Lnathanides, they belong to the sixth period to form 3rd transition series and In Actinides, they belong to the Seventh period to form the 4th part of the transition series.
Conclusion
The chemistry of Lanthanides is different from the chemistry of Actinides though they both are present at the bottom of the periodic table. The melting point of actinides does not contain any clear dependency regarding the number of electrons produced. They constitute the First and Second transition of the inner series. All the Actinides are highly reactive which is similar to Lanthanides.
Only promethium is radioactive in Lanthanides and all the elements of the Actinide series are radioactive and dark-deep in coloring properties. F block elements are those elements in which elements enter in the last electron are prominently called F block element which is Lanthanides and Actinides. They both are inner transition elements as well on First and Second place respectively.
References
- https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4804428
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/cr00034a002