Question

During the past two decades, syntheses of elements 110 through 118 have been reported. Element 110 was created by bombarding \({ }^{208} \mathrm{~Pb}\) with \({ }^{62} \mathrm{Ni}\), element 111 was created by bombarding \({ }^{209} \mathrm{Bi}\) with \({ }^{64} \mathrm{Ni}\), element 112 was created by bombarding \({ }^{208} \mathrm{~Pb}\) with \({ }^{66} \mathrm{Zn}\), element 114 was created by bombarding \({ }^{244} \mathrm{Pu}\) with \({ }^{48} \mathrm{Ca}\), element 115 was created by bombarding \({ }^{243} \mathrm{Am}\) with \({ }^{48} \mathrm{Ca}\), element 116 was created by bombarding \({ }^{248} \mathrm{Cm}\) with \({ }^{48} \mathrm{Ca},\) element 117 was created by bombarding \({ }^{249} \mathrm{Bk}\) with \({ }^{48} \mathrm{Ca},\) and element 118 was created by bombarding \({ }^{249} \mathrm{Cf}\) with \({ }^{48} \mathrm{Ca}\). Write an equation for each synthesis and predict the chemical properties of these elements.

Short answer

Equations for each synthesis are provided. Chemical properties can be predicted based on periodic trends with some deviations.

Step-by-step solution

Equation for Synthesis of Element 110

Element 110, known as Darmstadtium (Ds), was created by bombarding a lead isotope with a nickel isotope: \[ ^{208}_{82} \mathrm{Pb} + ^{62}_{28} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow ^{269}_{110} \mathrm{Ds} + ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]This equation shows that when \( \mathrm{Pb} \) and \( \mathrm{Ni} \) nuclei collide, they form element 110 and a neutron is released.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 111

Element 111, known as Roentgenium (Rg), was produced using bismuth and nickel isotopes:\[ ^{209}_{83} \mathrm{Bi} + ^{64}_{28} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow ^{272}_{111} \mathrm{Rg} + ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]Again, the synthesis results in the formation of the new element and the emission of a neutron.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 112

Element 112, known as Copernicium (Cn), was synthesized by bombarding lead with zinc:\[ ^{208}_{82} \mathrm{Pb} + ^{66}_{30} \mathrm{Zn} \rightarrow ^{277}_{112} \mathrm{Cn} + ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]The process follows a similar pattern where a new element is formed and a neutron is emitted.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 114

Element 114, known as Flerovium (Fl), is produced by reacting plutonium with calcium:\[ ^{244}_{94} \mathrm{Pu} + ^{48}_{20} \mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow ^{289}_{114} \mathrm{Fl} + 3 ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]This reaction yields the new element and emits three neutrons.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 115

Element 115, known as Moscovium (Mc), results from the bombardment of americium with calcium:\[ ^{243}_{95} \mathrm{Am} + ^{48}_{20} \mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow ^{288}_{115} \mathrm{Mc} + 3 ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]The process releases three neutrons.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 116

Element 116, known as Livermorium (Lv), is created by bombarding curium with calcium:\[ ^{248}_{96} \mathrm{Cm} + ^{48}_{20} \mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow ^{292}_{116} \mathrm{Lv} + 4 ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]The result is the formation of a new element and the emission of four neutrons.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 117

Element 117, known as Tennessine (Ts), is synthesized from berkelium and calcium:\[ ^{249}_{97} \mathrm{Bk} + ^{48}_{20} \mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow ^{293}_{117} \mathrm{Ts} + 4 ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]Here, four neutrons are emitted alongside the new element.

Equation for Synthesis of Element 118

Element 118, known as Oganesson (Og), is synthesized by bombarding californium with calcium:\[ ^{249}_{98} \mathrm{Cf} + ^{48}_{20} \mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow ^{294}_{118} \mathrm{Og} + 3 ^{1}_{0} \mathrm{n} \]The new element is formed along with the release of three neutrons.

Predicting Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of superheavy elements like 110 to 118 can be predicted to follow trends of their respective groups in the periodic table. Elements like Darmstadtium (Ds), Roentgenium (Rg), and Copernicium (Cn) are expected to behave similarly to platinum and gold, while Flerovium (Fl), Moscovium (Mc), and Livermorium (Lv) are expected to mimic the properties of lead, bismuth, and polonium. Tennessine (Ts) and Oganesson (Og) might show properties similar to halogens and noble gases, but these elements' high atomic masses cause strong relativistic effects, thus altering expected properties.

Key concepts

Nuclear Reactions

Superheavy elements are often produced in nuclear reactions that involve the bombardment of target nuclei with projectiles, such as ionized atoms. These reactions occur in particle accelerators, where carefully prepared conditions allow nuclei to collide at high energies. The result of these collisions can be the formation of new elements. Sometimes, a neutron is also released during the reaction, which is common in such synthetic processes. For example, to synthesize element 110, a lead isotope was bombarded with a nickel isotope:

• The reaction can be represented as: \( ^{208}_{82} \text{Pb} + ^{62}_{28} \text{Ni} \rightarrow ^{269}_{110} \text{Ds} + ^{1}_{0} \text{n} \)

Each synthesis from elements 110 to 118 is an outcome of precise nuclear reactions, reflecting the complexity and ingenuity involved in modern atomic physics.

Isotopes

Isotopes are variations of the same element that contain different numbers of neutrons. In nuclear reactions, isotopes of target elements and projectiles can significantly impact the synthesis of new elements. Using isotopes with specific neutron counts can influence the feasibility and stability of the newly synthesized superheavy elements. For instance, both the lead and nickel isotopes used in creating Darmstadtium (element 110) play key roles:

• \( ^{208}_{82} \text{Pb} \) is a stable isotope used as a target, while \( ^{62}_{28} \text{Ni} \) serves as the projectile.

These particular choices help in achieving a successful reaction, optimizing the pathway for synthesizing stable and scientifically interesting new elements.

Chemical Properties

Predicting the chemical properties of superheavy elements is challenging due to their short half-lives and complex electron interactions caused by their large atomic masses. However, chemists use periodic table trends to hypothesize the behavior of these elements.

• Elements like Darmstadtium (Ds), Roentgenium (Rg), and Copernicium (Cn) are located in groups analogous to platinum, gold, and mercury, respectively, suggesting they might exhibit similar chemical characteristics, such as forming meagerly reactive compounds.
• In contrast, Flerovium (Fl), Moscovium (Mc), and Livermorium (Lv) are expected to behave somewhat like lead, bismuth, and polonium, although their high mass and relativistic effects might lead to unexpected chemical differences.

Superheavy elements like Tennessine (Ts) are thought to show behaviors reminiscent of halogens due to their position on the periodic table, even if only partially realized in practice.

Periodic Table Trends

The periodic table offers a systematic way to predict trends in chemical behavior based on an element's position. Traditionally, elements are arranged by increasing atomic number, which helps in revealing recurring chemical property trends.

• Superheavy elements, such as Darmstadtium and beyond, reside at the bottom of the periodic table. Their placement in known groups provides clues about their possible interactions and properties. For instance, elements like Copernicium, predicted to follow mercury, might manifest some similar liquid-like properties.
• The high atomic numbers cause relativistic effects that complicate these predictions, meaning that while periodic trends provide a good starting point, superheavy elements often exhibit unexpected traits. This makes experimental verification essential.

Understanding how these elements fit into the periodic framework helps researchers refine models and guide future discoveries in this exciting arena of chemistry.