Copernicium is an artificially produced element and was synthesized in 1996. It has many unstable and synthetic isotopes
History and Discovery
Copernicium is a synthetic element. It was created for the first time in 1996 by Victor Ninov and Sigurd Hoffmann who worked at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research near Darmstadt, Germany [1]. A single atom of copernicium with mass number of 277 was synthesized by bombarding a lead-208 nuclei with accelerated zinc-70 nuclei. In 2000, another atom of copernicium was synthesized at GSI. The most stable isotope of copernicium has a half life of around 30 seconds. The element has been named after an astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus and has the element symbol Cp.
Copernicium
| Periodic Table Classification | Group 12 Period 7 |
|---|---|
| State at 20C | Gas (predicted) |
| Color | Unknown |
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 (predicted) |
| Electron Number | 112 |
| Proton Number | 112 |
| Electron Shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 2 (predicted) |
| Density | 23.70 g.cm-3 at 20°C (predicted) |
| Atomic number | 112 |
| Atomic Mass | 285.00 g.mol -1 |
| Electronegativity according to Pauling | N/A |
Occurrence
Copernicium is an artificially produced element. And does not exists in nature.
Physical Characteristics
Copernicium exists in gaseous form at standard temperature and pressure. The closed shell electron configuration allows this metal to exist in gaseous form [2]. It is categorized as the first metal to exist in the form of gas. It is part of the d-block elements and is considered as both transition and post-transition element. It belongs to the group 12 of the periodic table and have various distinct features than other members of its group. In solid form, copernicium is the heaviest element in its group and have a density of 23. g/cm3.
Chemical Characteristics
Copernicium is considered as one of the most highly radioactive element. It can react with gold and exhibit a highly volatile behavior. Copernicium is resistant to oxidation and requires specific conditions for its oxidation unlike the other members of its group. At room temperature, it is very volatile and have very weak metallic bonds. copernicium can form metallic bonds with silver, gold, copper, platinum and palladium. Most of the compounds of copernicium ions are unstable. In aqueous solution, copernicium has two oxidation states, +2 and +4. Copernicium reacts with cyanide to form stable compound Cn (CN)2.
Significance and Uses
- Copernicium isotope, CP-283 have been used in the discoveries of other elements, including livermorium and flerovium [3].
Health effects
Copernicium is a poisonous gas. However, little is known about its health hazards.
Isotopes of Copernicium
There are no naturally occurring or stable isotopes of copernicium. There are seven radioactive and artificially produced isotopes of copernicium, with mass numbers ranging from 281 to 286 and 277. The heavier isotopes are more stable as compared to lighter ones. Copernicium-285 is the most stable isotope and have a half-life of 29 seconds, while copernicium-283 has a half life of only 4 seconds. The light isotopes, except for copernicium-277, are synthesized by direct fusion between fusion of two lighter nuclei, while heavier isotopes are produced only by decay of heavier nuclei [4].
REFERENCES
[1]. Hofmann, S.; et al. (1996). “The new element 112”. Zeitschrift für Physik A. 354 (1): 229–230. doi:10.1007/BF02769517.
[2]. Hoffman, Darleane C.; Lee, Diana M.; Pershina, Valeria (2006). “Transactinides and the future elements”. In Morss; Edelstein, Norman M.; Fuger, Jean. The Chemistry of the Actinide and Transactinide Elements (3rd ed.). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Science+Business Media. ISBN 1-4020-3555-1.
[3]. Barber, R. C.; et al. (2011). “Discovery of the elements with atomic numbers greater than or equal to 113” (PDF). Pure and Applied Chemistry. 83 (7): 5–7. doi:10.1351/PAC-REP-10-05-01.
[4]. Holden, N. E. (2004). “Table of the Isotopes”. In D. R. Lide. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). CRC Press. Section 11. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.