Technetium (Tc)

General Information

• Symbol: Tc
• Atomic Number: 43
• Atomic Weight: [98] (most stable isotope, Technetium-98)
• Element Category: Transition metal
• Group: 7
• Period: 5
• Block: d-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-gray metallic
• Density: 11.5 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 2157 °C (3915 °F)
• Boiling Point: 4265 °C (7709 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d⁵ 5s²
• Oxidation States: +7, +6, +5, +4 (most common), +3, +2, +1

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Reacts with oxygen and acids, forms various oxides and halides.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as technetium dioxide (TcO₂), technetium tetrachloride (TcCl₄), and sodium pertechnetate (NaTcO₄).

Uses and Applications

• Medical Imaging: Technetium-99m is widely used in diagnostic nuclear medicine, particularly in imaging and functional studies of organs.
• Industry: Used as a corrosion inhibitor in steel.
• Research: Used in various scientific research applications due to its unique properties.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Technetium is not found naturally in the Earth’s crust due to its radioactivity and short half-life; it is produced synthetically.
• Extraction: Produced in nuclear reactors as a fission product of uranium-235.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Technetium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: Technetium-98 (most stable, half-life of 4.2 million years), Technetium-99 (half-life of 211,000 years), Technetium-99m (metastable, half-life of 6 hours, used in medical imaging).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Radioactive, requires careful handling and storage to avoid radiation exposure.
• Precautions: Use protective equipment and follow safety protocols when handling technetium compounds, especially in medical and industrial settings.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè in 1937.
• Name Origin: Named from the Greek word “technetos,” meaning artificial, since it was the first element to be produced artificially.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)
• Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: Moderate, about 50.6 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: About 200 nΩ·m at room temperature

Summary

Technetium is a transition metal known for its unique position as the first artificially produced element. It has significant applications in medical imaging, particularly Technetium-99m, which is essential in nuclear medicine. Technetium’s radioactive nature requires careful handling, and it is primarily produced in nuclear reactors. Its various isotopes have different half-lives and applications in both medical and industrial fields.

1. What is the atomic number of Technetium?

   • 43

2. What is the symbol for Technetium?

   • Tc

3. What is the atomic weight of Technetium?

   • [98] (most stable isotope, Technetium-98)

4. In which group of the periodic table is Technetium found?

   • Group 7

5. What period is Technetium in?

   • Period 5

6. What block does Technetium belong to?

   • d-block

7. What is the melting point of Technetium?

   • 2157 °C (3915 °F)

8. What is the boiling point of Technetium?

   • 4265 °C (7709 °F)

9. What is the density of Technetium?

   • 11.5 g/cm³

10. What is the electron configuration of Technetium?

    • [Kr] 4d⁵ 5s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Technetium?

    • +7, +6, +5, +4 (most common), +3, +2, +1

12. What is the appearance of Technetium?

    • Silvery-gray metallic

13. Is Technetium reactive with oxygen?

    • Yes, it reacts with oxygen

14. Name a compound of Technetium.

    • Technetium dioxide (TcO₂)

15. What is a common use of Technetium in medicine?

    • Technetium-99m for diagnostic imaging

16. How is Technetium used in industry?

    • As a corrosion inhibitor in steel

17. What role does Technetium play in research?

    • Used in various scientific research applications

18. Is Technetium naturally occurring?

    • No, it is produced synthetically

19. How is Technetium produced?

    • In nuclear reactors as a fission product of uranium-235

20. What is the most stable isotope of Technetium?

    • Technetium-98

21. Name a radioactive isotope of Technetium used in medical imaging.

    • Technetium-99m

22. What safety hazard is associated with Technetium?

    • Radioactive, requires careful handling

23. Who discovered Technetium?

    • Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè

24. Where does the name Technetium come from?

    • From the Greek word “technetos,” meaning artificial

25. What is the crystal structure of Technetium?

    • Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)

26. Is Technetium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

    • Paramagnetic

27. What is the thermal conductivity of Technetium?

    • About 50.6 W/m·K

28. What is the electrical resistivity of Technetium at room temperature?

    • About 200 nΩ·m

29. What is the primary oxidation state of Technetium?

    • +4

30. Is Technetium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is produced synthetically

31. What is the common name of sodium pertechnetate?

    • NaTcO₄

32. What is a major application of Technetium tetrachloride (TcCl₄)?

    • Used in research and industrial processes

33. How does Technetium inhibit corrosion?

    • By forming a protective layer on steel surfaces

34. What is the boiling point of Technetium in Kelvin?

    • 4540 K

35. What group does Technetium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Transition metals

36. What is the half-life of Technetium-99m?

    • 6 hours

37. Can Technetium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, due to its high melting point

38. What makes Technetium valuable in medical imaging?

    • Its radioisotope, Technetium-99m, provides clear images and has a short half-life

39. What is the natural abundance of Technetium isotopes?

    • Technetium has no naturally occurring stable isotopes

40. What is the key property that makes Technetium valuable in steel?

    • Its ability to inhibit corrosion.