Question

discuss the effect in Tl2 due to inert pair effect in simple language​

Answer 1

• Tl belongs to group 13 and has the electronic configuration as [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p¹.
• As we move down the group from B to Tl, Tl experiences the most effective nuclear charge (Z*) due to the poor shielding of 5d and 4f orbitals.
• Hence, the 6s electrons experience more nuclear charge and are attracted largely by the nucleus. This is known as inert pair effect.
• As a result, it becomes difficult to ionize these electrons.
• Therefore, Tl²⁺ is not stable and undergoes disproportion into Tl⁺ and Tl³⁺.