NEETChemistryd and f Block Elements
Which of the following lanthanoid ions acts as a strong reducing agent and is also paramagnetic in nature?
Options
- AYb ²⁺
- BEu ²⁺
- CCe ⁴⁺
- DLu ³⁺
Correct answer
B. Eu ²⁺
Step-by-step solution
Lanthanoids predominantly show a +3 oxidation state. Ions in +2 or +4 oxidation states tend to convert to the stable +3 state, acting as reducing or oxidising agents respectively. Let us evaluate the given ions: Eu ²⁺ (Z = 63): [ Xe ] 4 f ⁷ . It readily loses one electron to form the stable Eu ³⁺ ( [ Xe ] 4 f ⁶ ), acting as a strong reducing agent. It has 7 unpaired electrons, making it highly paramagnetic. Yb ²⁺ (Z = 70): [ Xe ] 4 f ¹⁴ . It acts as a reducing agent (converts to Yb ³⁺ ), but has no unpaired electro