Astatine: Facts, Properties and Uses

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Astatine and its high radioactivity requires special handling techniques and precautions hence it is studied in a few nuclear research laboratories. It is a halogen and one can speculate that the toxicity of Astatine would be the same as that of iodine. It was discovered in 1939 by Horia Hulubei and Yvette Cauchois.

Table of Content

What is Astatine?
Discovery
Occurrence
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Uses
Health Effects
Things to Remember
Sample Questions

Read More: Number of Moles Formula

What is Astatine?

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One of the radioactive and rarest natural elements found on Earth’s surface is Astatine, with At as the symbol it lies in the p-block of the periodic table. The atomic number of Astatine (At) is 85 and it is said to be the heaviest amongst Halogens. It was discovered by Emilio Segre, Dale R. Corson and Kenneth Ross MacKenzie in 1940 at the University of California.

1.	Symbol	Astatine (At)
2.	Atomic Number	85
3.	Lies where in the periodic table	p-block
4.	Discovered by	In 1940 it was discovered by Emilio Segre, Dale R. Corson and Kenneth Ross MacKenzie.
5.	Atomic Mass	210
6.	Family	Halogens
7.	Group	17
8.	Period	6

This element shows quite similar chemical properties to that of Iodine (I). Some of the isotopes of Astatine are unstable and have a short half-life of 8.01 hours. There are about seven isotopes of the element.

Discovery of Astatine

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Two groups of scientists in the year 1939 came near to discovering this element in mineral samples. Horia Hulubei and Yvette Cauchois by means of a high-resolution X-ray apparatus analysed mineral samples and assumed they had detected it. In the interim, Walter Minder observed the radioactivity of radium and said it seemed that another element was present. Chemical tests were conducted by him which suggested it was like iodine.

The element was credibly produced for the first time in 1940 by Dale R. Corson, K.R. Mackenzie, and Emilio Segre at the University of California. Astatine was made there by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles.

Read More: Elementary Reactions

Occurrence of Astatine

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The group seventeen elements are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. Since these elements react with metals to form salts hence these elements are collectively denoted as "halogens".

The valence shell electronic configuration of these elements is ns² np⁵. So, it is apparent that these elements have seven electrons in their valence shells. The valence shell is short of an octet by one electron hence they tend to gain one electron from an ionic bond, or share an electron with another atom to form covalent bond. The electronic configuration of astatine is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁵.

Astatine is the only halogen that can exist in a free state. About 2.36 x 10²⁵ grams of earth’s crust consists of Astatine that measures less than 1 gram. Astatine is mainly formed by the decomposition of Uranium(U) and Thorium(Th) Shell Model.

It has oxidation states of ± 1,3,5,7. The element astatine contains 85 electrons with no charge, 125 neutrons with stable nuclide and 85. In case of Astatine the valence electron is 6s² p⁵.

Physical Properties of Astatine

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1.	Atomic Mass (accurate)	209.987
2.	Boiling Point	610K
3.	Description	Radioactive element of the Halogen group
4.	Enthalpy of Atomization	92 kj/mole
5.	State at 20°C	Solid
6.	Melting Point	575K

Chemical Properties of Astatine

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1.	Key Isotopes	210At, 211At
2.	Electrochemical Equivalent	7.8346g/amp-hr
3.	Density	Unknown

Uses of Astatine

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Astatine is a radioactive element but due to its availability in restricted amounts it has very few uses-

It is used to treat brain tumors.
At times the isotopes 211At are used in radiation therapies.
It is also used in the treatment of cancer.
Astatine has same chemical properties as that of iodine and hence it is also used to treat thyroid

Read More: Rate Determining Step

Health Effects of Astatine

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The amount of astatine present on the earth’s surface is very limited (i.e., less than 30grams). Till date the amount of astatine produced artificially is approximately some grams. All of this along with its short lifetime doesn’t raise any threat or harm to mankind. Hence researching about the health effects of astatine on human beings is not really the need of the hour.

Still in the laboratories where astatine is experimented upon and produced proper care, special type of handling process and precautions are duly taken. As it has the same chemical properties as that of iodine hence it can be assumed that it will have the same effects on mankind as iodine has.

Things to Remember

One of the radioactive and rarest natural elements found on Earth’s surface is Astatine, with At as the symbol it lies in the p-block of the periodic table.
The atomic number of Astatine (At) is 85 and it is said to be the heaviest amongst Halogens.
It was discovered by Emilio Segre, Dale R. Corson and Kenneth Ross MacKenzie in 1940 at the University of California.
The group seventeen elements are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. Since these elements react with metals to form salts hence these elements are collectively denoted as "halogens".

Read More: Law of Multiple Proportions

Sample Questions

Ques: What is the electronic configuration of astatine? (3 marks)

Ans: As it belongs to the group 17 elements hence the valence shell electronic configuration of these elements is ns² np⁵ .

At = 85

At=1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶5s² 4d10⁵p⁶ 6s²4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁵

= [1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶5s² 4d¹⁰5p⁶ 6s²]4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁵

= [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁵.

Ques: How is astatine different from all other elements in group 17? (2 marks)

Ans: The group seventeen elements are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. Since these elements react with metals to form salts hence these elements are collectively denoted as "halogens". But astatine is the only naturally occurring radioactive metal found on earth’s surface, it is quite heavier than all other elements of the group. And astatine is the only halogen that can exist in a free state.

Ques: Write down below some of the uses of astatine? (2 marks)

Ans: Astatine is a radioactive element but due to its availability in restricted amounts it has very few uses-

It is used to treat brain tumors.
At times the isotopes 211At are used in radiation therapies.
It is also used in the treatment of cancer.
Astatine has the same chemical properties as that of iodine and hence it is also used to treat thyroid.

Ques: Is Astatine hazardous to human beings if yes why and if no why? (2 marks)

Ans: The amount of astatine present on the earth’s surface is very limited (i.e., less than 30grams). Till date the amount of astatine produced artificially is approximately some grams. All of this along with its short lifetime doesn’t raise any threat or harm to mankind. Hence researching about the health effects of astatine on human beings is not really the need of the hour.

Still in the laboratories where astatine is experimented upon and produced proper care, special type of handling process and precautions are duly taken.

As it has the same chemical properties as that of iodine hence it can be assumed that it will have the same effects on mankind as iodine has.

Ques: What is the origin of astatine? (2 marks)

Ans: Astatine is a naturally occurring radioactive element found on the earth’s surface . About 2.36 x 10²⁵ grams of earth’s crust consists of Astatine that measures less than 1 gram.

Ques: How is astatine formed? (2 marks)

Ans: Astatine is mainly formed by the decomposition of Uranium(U) and Thorium(Th). In 1940 it was also made there by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles. And it is produced in the laboratory using the same process.

Ques: Which chemical element has the same properties as that of Astatine? (2 marks)

Ans: Iodine has the same chemical properties as that of astatine and hence astatine is used for the treatment of thyroid like iodine.

Ques: What are the oxidation states of astatine? (1 mark)

Ans: Astatine has oxidation states of ± 1,3,5,7

Read More:

Born-Haber Cycle	Oxidizing Agent
Reducing Agent (Reductant)	Hydrides
Cathode Ray Discharge Tubes	Atomic Orbitals
Transuranium Element	Atomic Radius
VSEPR Theory	Ionic Bond (Electrovalent Bond)
Combined Gas Law	Critical temperature
Cisplatin	Diatomic
Gay-Lussac’s Law	Dalton’s atomic theory

Astatine: Facts, Properties and Uses

What is Astatine?

Discovery of Astatine

Occurrence of Astatine

Physical Properties of Astatine

Chemical Properties of Astatine

Uses of Astatine

Health Effects of Astatine

Things to Remember

Sample Questions

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
Using the standard electrode potentials given in Table 3.1, predict if the reaction between the following is feasible:
(i) Fe³⁺ (aq) and I^- (aq)
(ii) Ag⁺ (aq) and Cu(s)
(iii) Fe³⁺(aq) and Br^-(aq)
(iv) Ag(s) and Fe³⁺(aq)
(v) Br₂ (aq) and Fe²⁺(aq).

2.
Draw the structures of optical isomers of:
(i) \([Cr(C_2O_4)_3]^{3–}\)
(ii) \([PtCl_2(en)_2]^{2+}\)
(iii) \([Cr(NH_3)2Cl_2(en)]^{+}\)

3.
A solution of Ni(NO₃)₂ is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a current of 5 amperes for 20 minutes. What mass of Ni is deposited at the cathode?

5.
Comment on the statement that elements of the first transition series possess many properties different from those of heavier transition elements.

6.
Discuss briefly giving an example in each case the role of coordination compounds in:
biological systems
medicinal chemistry
analytical chemistry
extraction/ metallurgy of metals

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Astatine: Facts, Properties and Uses

What is Astatine?

Discovery of Astatine

Occurrence of Astatine

Physical Properties of Astatine

Chemical Properties of Astatine

Uses of Astatine

Health Effects of Astatine

Things to Remember

Sample Questions

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1. Using the standard electrode potentials given in Table 3.1, predict if the reaction between the following is feasible: (i) Fe3+ (aq) and I- (aq) (ii) Ag+ (aq) and Cu(s) (iii) Fe3+(aq) and Br-(aq) (iv) Ag(s) and Fe3+(aq) (v) Br2 (aq) and Fe2+(aq).

2. Draw the structures of optical isomers of: (i) \([Cr(C_2O_4)_3]^{3–}\)(ii) \([PtCl_2(en)_2]^{2+}\)(iii) \([Cr(NH_3)2Cl_2(en)]^{+}\)

3. A solution of Ni(NO3)2 is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a current of 5 amperes for 20 minutes. What mass of Ni is deposited at the cathode?

5. Comment on the statement that elements of the first transition series possess many properties different from those of heavier transition elements.

6. Discuss briefly giving an example in each case the role of coordination compounds in:biological systemsmedicinal chemistryanalytical chemistryextraction/ metallurgy of metals

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
Using the standard electrode potentials given in Table 3.1, predict if the reaction between the following is feasible:
(i) Fe³⁺ (aq) and I^- (aq)
(ii) Ag⁺ (aq) and Cu(s)
(iii) Fe³⁺(aq) and Br^-(aq)
(iv) Ag(s) and Fe³⁺(aq)
(v) Br₂ (aq) and Fe²⁺(aq).

2.
Draw the structures of optical isomers of:
(i) \([Cr(C_2O_4)_3]^{3–}\)
(ii) \([PtCl_2(en)_2]^{2+}\)
(iii) \([Cr(NH_3)2Cl_2(en)]^{+}\)

3.
A solution of Ni(NO₃)₂ is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a current of 5 amperes for 20 minutes. What mass of Ni is deposited at the cathode?

5.
Comment on the statement that elements of the first transition series possess many properties different from those of heavier transition elements.

6.
Discuss briefly giving an example in each case the role of coordination compounds in:
biological systems
medicinal chemistry
analytical chemistry
extraction/ metallurgy of metals