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On the position of La, Lu, Ac and Lr in the periodic table: a perspective

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Abstract

The periodic table of elements, organised as blocks of elements that contain similar properties, occupies a central role in chemistry. However, the position of some of the elements in the periodic table is a debate that has been ensuing over the past one and a half long centuries. Particularly, the positions of lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), actinium (Ac) and lawrencium (Lr) in the periodic table have been quite controversial. Different kinds of studies carried out by various research groups have yet left the fate of these elements undecided as the results of these investigations suggested that these elements could potentially be placed in the d-block, p-block or all four in the f-block. Our recent work looked into this question from a new perspective, involving encapsulation of La, Lu, Ac and Lr into Zintl ion clusters, Pb122− and Sn2−12. These clusters were chosen as they provide a fitting environment for the determination of structural, thermodynamic and electronic properties of the encapsulated species. Various results that have been evaluated and subsequently analysed (Joshi et al. in Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 20:15253–15272, 2018) in order to seek out similarities and differences for making justified conclusions about the placement of all these four elements in the periodic table are the subject matter of this review article.

Graphic Abstract

This review highlights a unique methodology wherein Ln and An encapsulated Pb122− and Sn2−12 clusters provided in-depth insights on the long-drawn controversy: positions of lutetium, lawrencium, lanthanum and actinium in the modern periodic table. Electronic, thermodynamic and structural parameters have been comprehensively investigated by DFT to yield a justified conclusion.

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Acknowledgements

AC thanks SERB-DST for the post-doctoral fellowship. M.J. and T.K.G. gratefully acknowledge the liberal support provided by their host institution, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. M. J. would like to thank Homi Bhabha National Institute for the PhD. fellowship in Chemical Sciences. It is a pleasure to thank Prof. E. D. Jemmis for many helpful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, Karnataka, India

    Aditi Chandrasekar

  2. Theoretical Chemistry Section, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, Maharashtra, India

    Meenakshi Joshi & Tapan K Ghanty

  3. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, Maharashtra, India

    Meenakshi Joshi & Tapan K Ghanty

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  1. Aditi Chandrasekar
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  2. Meenakshi Joshi
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  3. Tapan K Ghanty
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Correspondence to Tapan K Ghanty.

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Special Issue on 150 years of the Periodic Table

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Chandrasekar, A., Joshi, M. & Ghanty, T.K. On the position of La, Lu, Ac and Lr in the periodic table: a perspective. J Chem Sci 131, 122 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-019-1713-7

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