Praseodymium (Pr): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Praseodymium (Pr): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f3 · f-block, lanthanide series · period 6 · Ar 140.91
Praseodymium data
- Atomic number
- 59
- Relative atomic mass
- 140.91
- Group
- – (lanthanide series)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f3
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f3
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 21, 8, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 2 (in the outer shell)
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.13
- First ionisation energy
- 5.464 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 239 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 931 °C
- Boiling point
- 3520 °C
- Density
- 6.77 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3
- Discovered
- 1885
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 21 · O 8 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About praseodymium
Praseodymium, symbol Pr, is element number 59 in the periodic table. It belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 (f-block), usually shown below the main table. The element was discovered in 1885. Praseodymium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 931 °C and boiling at 3520 °C.
Praseodymium electron configuration
The electron configuration of praseodymium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f3, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f3. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 21, O = 8, P = 2. As a lanthanide, praseodymium fills the 4f subshell. Its outer 6s subshell holds 2 electrons; valence electrons for this series are not assigned by the usual group rule. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Pr3+ = [Xe] 4f2.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f3(59)
Uses of praseodymium
Well-known applications of praseodymium include permanent magnets together with neodymium, yellow-green colouring for glass and ceramics, and didymium glasses for glassblowers. For research and analysis you can browse praseodymium compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Praseodymium metal is generally safe to handle, but avoid breathing its dust and read the SDS before using Praseodymium compounds. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other lanthanides
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of praseodymium?
The electron configuration of praseodymium (Pr, atomic number 59) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f3, or [Xe] 6s2 4f3 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 21, 8, 2.
How many valence electrons does praseodymium have?
Praseodymium has 2 electrons in its outer shell. For lanthanides and actinides, valence electrons are not assigned by the usual group rule.
Which group and period is praseodymium in?
Praseodymium is in the lanthanide series, period 6, f-block.
What is the atomic mass of praseodymium?
The relative atomic mass of praseodymium is 140.91. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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