Question

What is the electron configuration of Platinum?

Answer 1

This is an unusual configuration.

Explanation:

`Pt, Z= 78`

`[Xe] 4f^(14)5d^(9)6s^1`

The lower transition metals (and some of the first row, (i.e. `Cr`, `Cu`) tend to have non-canonical electron configurations. For platinum, so I am told, this is a relativistic effect (whatever that is!).

Most of the time we deal with `Pt^(2+)`, a diamagnet, though `Pt^0` complexes also tend to be diamagnetic. Depending on your prof, if you wrote `[Xe] 4f^(14)5d^(10)` you would probably be given full marks.