What is the electronic configuration of #Fe^(3+)# ion?

1 Answer
Apr 22, 2017

Of the #"ferric ion..........?"#

Explanation:

For #"iron"#, #Z=26#, and thus for elemental iron we have to distribute 26 electrons by the aufbau scheme, and for #Fe^(3+)#, we must distribute 23 electrons..................And so:

#1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^(6)3d^(5)#.

Note that a neutral iron atom has a configuration of.......

#1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^(6)4s^(2)3d^(6)# (26 electrons as required.) However, upon oxidation, the #4s# electrons are conceived to be removed FIRST, and this is typical for transition metal ions.

Would #Fe(III)# complexes be paramagnetic? Why or why not........?