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Thallium was independently discovered by Claude-Auguste Lamy and William Crookes. Thallium is represented by the symbol TI. Greek word Thallos, which signifies a green twig, is whence the name Thallium originates. Given that it possessed a green spectral line, this is extremely related to that metal.
- It is found in nature as a mixture of two isotopes. Today, however, about 25 different isotopes of thallium have been found.
- The metal thallium may cause cancer.
- It is a mineral that can be found in substances like the crook site, lorandite, and hutchinsonite. Thallium was also found in iron pyrite, which makes it another source of the element. There are manganese nodules on ocean floors, and some Thallium has also been found there.
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KeyTerms: Thallium, Metal, Electronic configuration, Atomic mass, Valence electrons, Isotopes, Manganese dioxide
Thallium TI
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The periodic table lists thallium as a chemical element with the symbol TI and atomic number 81. It is a grayish post-transition metal that is not widely distributed in nature. When isolated, thallium resembles tin, but when exposed to air, it turns discolored. In 1861, An atom of this element contained around 81 electrons. Thallium has the following electrical configuration: Xe 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1. This element can also be produced artificially by smelting lead and zinc; it is not just found or produced naturally. While making sulfuric acid, thallium is also created as a byproduct.
| Characteristics of element | Thallium |
| Group | Boron |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | 13 |
| Atomic Number | 81 |
| State at 200C | Solid |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1 |
| ChemSpider ID | 4514293 |
| Melting point | 3040C |
| Boiling point | 14730C |
| Density (g cm-2) | 11.71 g cm3 |
| Relative atomic mass | 204.383 g mol-1 |
| Key isotopes | 250TI |
| CAS number | 7440-28-0 |
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| Relevant Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Transition elements | Actinoids | Protactinium |
| Hydrobromic acid | Hydrogen Chloride | Perchloric acid |
Properties of Thallium
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The chemical and physical properties of thallium as follows:
Physical Properties of Thallium
Thallium is a malleable metal with an appearance similar to lead (atomic number 82). These are a few of its distinctive characteristics:
- It is incredibly malleable and melts quickly. It can be sliced through with a knife, and when wiped on paper, it leaves a mark.
- It looks bluish-white and is hefty.
- It exhibits a metallic shine when being displayed in the air.
- It is plentiful enough.
- Its salts are frequently poisonous and soluble.
Chemical Properties of Thallium
Thallium has a few notable chemical characteristics, including:
- Thallium has two oxidation states: +3 and +1. Although far more stable, the A +1 oxidation state exhibits chemistry that is similar to that of alkali metals.
- Thallium combines with air to form a gray oxide coating, and when it is burned to extremely high temperatures, it produces thallium oxide, which is deadly. Following is the response:
2Tl(s) + O2(g) → Tl2O(s)
- The following reaction demonstrates how thallium continuously reacts with moist air or dissolves in water to produce a deadly substance called thallium hydroxide:
2Tl(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2TlOH(aq) + H2(g)
- With the halogens fluorine, chlorine, and bromine, thallium interacts strongly. Due to this, thallium fluoride, thallium chloride, and thallium bromide are produced. These are all exceedingly poisonous, and the following is how they react:
2Tl(s) + 3F2(g) → 2TlF3(s)
2Tl(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2TlCl3(s)
2Tl(s) + 3Br2(l) → 2TlBr3(s)
- Thallium dissolves slowly in only sulphuric acid, presented as H2SO4, and hydrochloric acid, presented as Hcl, due to its high poisonousness.
- Sulfate ions do not precipitate thorium, nor do hydroxide ions precipitate TI(l). However, as demonstrated in the following reaction, TI(llI) precipitates with hydroxide:
2 Tl3 +(aq) + 6 OH−(aq) →Tl2O3(s) brown + 3 H2O(l)
Structure of Thallium
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Thallium has a stable structure with 81 electrons. Its atomic weight is:
Atomic Data of Thallium
| Atomic Number | 81 |
| Valence Electrons | 35 |
| Noble Gas Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1 |
| Electrons | 81 |
| Neutrons | 124 |
| Protons | 81 |
| Atomic Protons | 1.96 A 1 |
| Covalent Radius | 1.44 A 1 |
Things to Remember
- Thallium - The chemical element thallium has the atomic number 81 and the symbol TI.
- Physical Properties of thallium - It is a white-silver metal that tarnishes quickly. Soluble thallium salts are usually toxic. They are merely tasteless.
- Thallium has a density of 11.71 gcm3 at 20°C. It melts at 304 °C. The Boiling point of Thallium is 1473 °C.
- Uses of Thallium - Thallium is used in the production of electronic devices, camera lenses, switches, fiber optics, and closures.
- Electronic configuration - [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is Thallium? (2 marks)
Ans.The major Group 13 (IIIa, often known as the boron group) of the periodic table contains the chemical element or metal thallium (Tl). It is lethal. Thallium is a soft, low-melting element similar to lead. It is a delicate, white-silver metal that tarnishes quickly.
Ques. What are the uses of Thallium? (2 marks)
Ans. Thallium is used in the production of electronic devices, camera lenses, fiber optics, switches, and closures. Thallium metal is used mostly by the semiconductor, fiber optic, and glass lens industries.
Ques. What are the properties of Thallium? (2 marks)
Ans. Thallium with atomic number 81 has a density of 11.71 g.cm-3 at 20°C. It melts at 304 °C. The Boiling point of Thallium is 1473 °C. Soluble thallium salts are usually toxic. They are merely tasteless.
Ques. What effects does thallium have on the human body? (2 marks)
Ans. If excessive amounts of thallium are consumed or ingested over short periods, it can have negative effects on the neurological system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. After being exposed to high concentrations of thallium for a brief length of time, symptoms such as temporary hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible.
Ques. Does Thallium react with acid? (1 mark)
Ans. Thallium is only weakly soluble in hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulphuric acid (H2SO4) due to the toxic thallium(I) ions that are generated.
Ques. What is the color of thallium? (1 mark)
Ans. Thallium is a delicate, white-silver metal that tarnishes quickly.
Ques. What is the electronic configuration of thallium? (1 mark)
Ans. There are eighty-one electrons present in the atom of thallium, it has an electronic configuration of [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1.
Ques. Where is thallium commonly found? (1 mark)
Ans. Numerous ores contain thallium. Pyrites are one of these, and it is used to make sulfuric acid. A small amount of thallium can be found in pyrites, although it is primarily produced as a byproduct of the lead, zinc, and copper industries. On the ocean floor, manganese nodules are also known to contain thallium.
Ques. Who discovered Thallium? (2 marks)
Ans. Thallium was discovered by the English physicist and chemist William Crookes in 1861.
The name thallium is derived from the Greek thallus for "green shoot" or "twig" because of the bright green line in its spectrum.
Ques. How common or unusual is thallium? (2 marks)
Ans. The abundance of thallium (Tl), a rare but extensively distributed element in the environment, is 0.003% in the earth's crust. Thallium is mostly found in coal, as well as in the sulfide ores of zinc, copper, and lead.
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