What is the electron configuration of Platinum?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 26, 2016

This is an unusual configuration.

Explanation:

#Pt, Z= 78#

#[Xe] 4f^(14)5d^(9)6s^1#

The lower transition metals (and some of the first row, (i.e. #Cr#, #Cu#) tend to have non-canonical electron configurations. For platinum, so I am told, this is a relativistic effect (whatever that is!).

Most of the time we deal with #Pt^(2+)#, a diamagnet, though #Pt^0# complexes also tend to be diamagnetic. Depending on your prof, if you wrote #[Xe] 4f^(14)5d^(10)# you would probably be given full marks.

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