Rhenium (Re): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Rhenium (Re): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d5 · group 7 · period 6 · Ar 186.21
Rhenium data
- Atomic number
- 75
- Relative atomic mass
- 186.21
- Group
- 7
- Period
- 6
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d5
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d5
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 13, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 7
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.9
- First ionisation energy
- 7.88 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 217 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 3186 °C
- Boiling point
- 5596 °C
- Density
- 20.8 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +7, +6, +4
- Discovered
- 1925
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 13 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About rhenium
Rhenium is a chemical element with the symbol Re and atomic number 75. It is a transition metal in group 7, period 6, d-block. The element was discovered in 1925. Rhenium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 3186 °C and boiling at 5596 °C.
Rhenium electron configuration
The electron configuration of rhenium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d5, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d5. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 13, P = 2. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 6s and 5d subshells: 2 + 5 = 7, matching group 7. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Re4+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d3.
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) → 4f14(70) → 5d5(75)
Uses of rhenium
The main uses of rhenium include superalloys for jet-engine turbine blades and platinum-rhenium reforming catalysts. For research and analysis you can browse rhenium compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
As a solid metal, rhenium is not especially hazardous. Fine powder can burn, and its compounds should be handled according to their SDS. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 7
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of rhenium?
The electron configuration of rhenium (Re, atomic number 75) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d5, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d5 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 13, 2.
How many valence electrons does rhenium have?
Rhenium has 7 valence electrons.
Which group and period is rhenium in?
Rhenium is in group 7, period 6, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of rhenium?
The relative atomic mass of rhenium is 186.21. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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