JEE MAIN - Chemistry (2025 - 22nd January Morning Shift - No. 12)

Lanthanoid ions with $4 \mathrm{f}^7$ configuration are :

(A) $\mathrm{Eu}^{2+}$

(B) $\mathrm{Gd}^{3+}$

(C) $\mathrm{Eu}^{3+}$

(D) $\mathrm{Tb}^{3+}$

(E) $ \mathrm{Sm}^{2+}$

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(B) and (E) only
(B) and (C) only
(A) and (D) only
(A) and (B) only

Explanation

Let's analyze the electron configurations of the given lanthanide ions.

Europium ($\mathrm{Eu}$)

The neutral atom of Eu (atomic number 63) typically has the configuration:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^7\,6s^2. $

For $\mathrm{Eu}^{2+}$, two electrons are removed, usually from the $6s$ orbital, resulting in:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^7. $

Thus, $\mathrm{Eu}^{2+}$ has a $4f^7$ configuration.

For $\mathrm{Eu}^{3+}$, three electrons are removed (the two $6s$ electrons and one $4f$ electron), giving:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^6. $

Therefore, $\mathrm{Eu}^{3+}$ does not have a $4f^7$ configuration.

Gadolinium ($\mathrm{Gd}$)

The neutral atom of Gd (atomic number 64) is usually represented as:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^7\,5d^1\,6s^2. $

For $\mathrm{Gd}^{3+}$, three electrons are removed (typically the $5d^1$ and the two $6s$ electrons), resulting in:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^7. $

So, $\mathrm{Gd}^{3+}$ has a $4f^7$ configuration.

Terbium ($\mathrm{Tb}$)

The neutral atom of Tb (atomic number 65) typically has the configuration:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^9\,6s^2. $

For $\mathrm{Tb}^{3+}$, removal of three electrons gives:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^8. $

Hence, $\mathrm{Tb}^{3+}$ does not have a $4f^7$ configuration.

Samarium ($\mathrm{Sm}$)

The neutral atom of Sm (atomic number 62) generally has:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^6\,6s^2. $

For $\mathrm{Sm}^{2+}$, after removal of two electrons (likely from the $6s$ orbital), the configuration is:

$ [\mathrm{Xe}]\,4f^6. $

Therefore, $\mathrm{Sm}^{2+}$ does not have a $4f^7$ configuration.

Thus, the ions with a $4f^7$ configuration are:

(A) $\mathrm{Eu}^{2+}$

(B) $\mathrm{Gd}^{3+}$

The correct answer is:

Option D – (A) and (B) only.

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