Transition metal ions zero unpaired electrons are:
A. \(Sc^{3+}\)
B. \(Ti^{3+}\)
C. \(Cu^{2+}\)
D. \(Zn^{2+}\)
E. \(Mn^{2+}\)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option 3. A and D only.
Let us go through each transition metal ion in detail to understand the number of unpaired electrons they have:
Electronic Configurations and Unpaired Electrons
A. \(Sc^{3+}\) (Scandium Ion):
The atomic number of scandium is 21, so its ground state electronic configuration is:
\(\text{Sc: [Ar] 3d^1 4s^2}\)
For \(Sc^{3+}\): Scandium loses three electrons to form the \(Sc^{3+}\) ion. The electrons are removed first from the \(4s\) orbital and then from the \(3d\) orbital.
\(\text{Sc}^{3+}: [Ar]\)
Unpaired Electrons: The \(Sc^{3+}\) ion has the electronic configuration of argon, which has no unpaired electrons.
B. \(Ti^{3+}\) (Titanium Ion):
The atomic number of titanium is 22, so its ground state electronic configuration is:
\(\text{Ti: [Ar] 3d^2 4s^2}\)
For \(Ti^{3+}\): Titanium loses three electrons to form the \(Ti^{3+}\) ion. The electrons are removed from the \(4s\) orbital first and then from the \(3d\) orbital.
\(\text{Ti}^{3+}: [Ar] 3d^1\)
Unpaired Electrons: The \(Ti^{3+}\) ion has one unpaired electron in the \(3d\) orbital.
C. \(Cu^{2+}\) (Copper Ion):
The atomic number of copper is 29, so its ground state electronic configuration is:
\(\text{Cu: [Ar] 3d^{10} 4s^1}\)
For \(Cu^{2+}\): Copper loses two electrons to form the \(Cu^{2+}\) ion. The electrons are removed first from the \(4s\) orbital and then from the \(3d\) orbital.
\(\text{Cu}^{2+}: [Ar] 3d^9\)
Unpaired Electrons: The \(Cu^{2+}\) ion has one unpaired electron in the \(3d\) orbital.
D. \(Zn^{2+}\) (Zinc Ion):
The atomic number of zinc is 30, so its ground state electronic configuration is:
\(\text{Zn: [Ar] 3d^{10} 4s^2}\)
For \(Zn^{2+}\): Zinc loses two electrons to form the \(Zn^{2+}\) ion. These electrons are removed from the \(4s\) orbital.
\(\text{Zn}^{2+}: [Ar] 3d^{10}\)
Unpaired Electrons: The \(Zn^{2+}\) ion has a fully filled \(3d\) orbital, so it has no unpaired electrons.
E. \(Mn^{2+}\) (Manganese Ion):
The atomic number of manganese is 25, so its ground state electronic configuration is:
\(\text{Mn: [Ar] 3d^5 4s^2}\)
For \(Mn^{2+}\): Manganese loses two electrons to form the \(Mn^{2+}\) ion. The electrons are removed from the \(4s\) orbital.
\(\text{Mn}^{2+}: [Ar] 3d^5\)
Unpaired Electrons: The \(Mn^{2+}\) ion has five unpaired electrons in the \(3d\) orbitals (since each of the five \(3d\) orbitals has one electron)
Summary:
The ions with zero unpaired electrons are:
\(Sc^{3+}\): Configuration is \( [Ar] \), with no electrons in the \(3d\) orbitals.
\(Zn^{2+}\): Configuration is \( [Ar] 3d^{10} \), with all \(3d\) orbitals fully occupied.
Thus, the correct options with zero unpaired electrons are 3. A and D only