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Chemistry of Scandium - Chemwiki
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ChemWiki: The Dynamic Chemistry E-textbook > Inorganic Chemistry > Descriptive Chemistry > d-Block Elements > Group 3: Transition Metals >
Chemistry of Scandium
Chemistry of Scandium
This module was designed to give general information about Scandium, a transition metal element. Having some knowledge of the properties of
Scandium provides for a better understanding of the production of items such as spacecraft and sports equipment, as well as providing for a better
general understanding of Earth's elements.
Introduction
Scandium is a transition metal element in Group 3 of the periodic table with the chemical symbol Sc. It has an atomic number of 21 and an atomic
mass of 44.9559, meaning its non-isotopic form has 21 protons, 21 electrons, and about 24 neutrons (44.9559 - 21 = 23.9559) Discovered by the
Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson in Scandinavia in 1878, Scandium is a somewhat rare metal that makes up a really small amount (about
0.0025%) of the Earth's crust. Properties of Scandium
General Properties of Scandium
Atomic Number: 21 Mass: 44.955912 g Density: 2.985 g/ml
Melting Point: 1814 K
Boiling Point: 3109 K
Electronegativity: 1.36
Specific heat: 0.568 J / mol K
Atomic Radius: 160
Covalent Radius: 144
∆H Fusion: 14.1 kJ / mol
∆H Vaporization: 332.7 kJ / mol
Electron Configuration: [Ar] 4s2 3d1
Common Ions: 3+ (most common), 2+, 1+
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
http://www.creationwiki.org/File:Ele...l_scandium.png http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Descriptive_Chemistry/d-Block_Elements/Group_3/Chemistry_of_Scandium
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Chemistry of Scandium - Chemwiki
Metallic Properties of Scandium
Scandium is a silver-white metal that develops a light yellow/pink cast when exposed to air. Scandium has a much higher melting point than
aluminum, which is why it is of interest to spacecraft designers. Like other transition metals, it is susceptible to weathering and will slowly dissolve
in dilute acids.
www.theodoregray.com Isotopes of Scandium Isotope
Half Life
Sc-­44
3.92 hours
Sc-­45
Stable
Sc-­46
83.81 days
Sc-­46m
18.72 seconds
Sc-­47
3.34 days
Sc-­48
43.67 hours
Sc-­49
57.3 minutes
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/sc.html.
Common Compounds
Scandium Dihydride ScH2 Scandium Trihidride ScH3
Scandium Trifluoride ScF3
Scandium Trichloride ScCl3
Scandium Triiodide ScI3
Discandium Trioxide Sc2O3
Discandium Trisulphide Sc2S3
Discandium Tritelluride Sc2Te3
As seen above, many of these examples substantiate the fact that Scandium's most common oxidation state is +3, with the +2 and +1 oxidation states
being rarer but nonetheless possible. Applications of Scandium
The main use of Scandium is in the making of aluminum-scandium alloys for aerospace industry components. However, only 0.1% - 0.5% of
Scandium is used for this application. Another use of Scandium is in aluminum-scandium alloys for sports equipment, such as bicycle frames,
lacrosse sticks, and baseball bats. This is done because the aluminum-scandium alloy allows for high athletic performance. Another application used
often in the United States is in Scandium Oxide (Sc2O3) to make high intensity discharge lamps. http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Descriptive_Chemistry/d-Block_Elements/Group_3/Chemistry_of_Scandium
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http://www.baseballrampage.com/produ...nt_display.jpg Comparison with Other Transition Metals
Scandium works well with Aluminum, as can be seen when they're used together in sports equipment and aerospace components. Scandium has the
lowest atomic mass out of the all of the transition metals, as well as the lowest density.
References
1. Petrucci et al. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern Applications, 9th Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2007. 2. Eagleson, M. (1994). Concise encyclopedia chemistry, Walter De Gruyter Inc.
3. Ahmad, Zaki (2003). "The properties and application of scandium-reinforced aluminum". JOM 55: 35.
Outside Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFuD2JSDueU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandium
http://www.periodic.lanl.gov/elements/21.html
http://www.webelements.com/scandium/
Practice Problems
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In
, what is the oxidation state of Sc and what is its electron configuration? 3+
How many protons are in Scandium? 21
Why does scandium have no +4 oxidation state in any of its compounds? Is scandium radioactive? Where is Scandium found? Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3+
21
Scandium is in column 3, 3 outside electrons to be removed (It loses 1 in 4s and 2 in 3d)
There are no radioactive istopes of scandium ordinarily found in nature. Like all elements, synthetic radioactive isotopes of scandium exist.
It is found in thortveitite and in small amounts, in other minerals.
Contributors
Kevin Fan (UCD)
Katherine Cubbon
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