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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2005  > November  >
Research: Science and Education
Relativistic Effects and the Chemistry of the Heaviest Main-Group Elements
John S. Thayer
Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0172
Cover
November 2005
Vol. 82 No. 11
p. 1721
Abstract
The heaviest main-group elements (mercury through radon and their heavier congenors) often show markedly different chemical properties than their lighter counterparts. Most of these differences arise from changes in the relative energies of the outer-shell atomic orbitals that can be explained by application of Einstein's theory of special relativity ("relativistic effects") to electrons in atoms. Changes include stabilization of lower oxidation states, destabilization of higher states, and greater tendencies towards cluster formation. These will be illustrated by examples of recent research reports, and predictions for the chemistry of elements 112 through 118.
More Information
*  Citation
 Thayer, John S. J. Chem. Educ. 2005 82 1721.
*  Keywords
 Astatine; Atomic Properties / Structure; Bismuth; Gold; Graduate Education / Research; Inorganic Chemistry; Lead; Main-Group Elements; Mercury; Metals; Organometallics; Periodicity / Periodic Table; Polonium; Radon; Second-Year Undergraduate; Textbooks / Reference Books; Thallium; Upper-Division Undergraduate
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 9/22/2005
9/29/2005
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