Gd
157.250Gadolinium
Gadolinyum
Gadolinium is a lanthanide with atomic number 64. It is known for MRI contrast agents, very high neutron absorption in gadolinium-155 and gadolinium-157, magnetocaloric research and its unusual [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s² electron configuration.
64
157.25 g/mol
[Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 25 | 9 | 2
1.2
7.9 g/cm³
1311.8 °C
3272.8 °C
Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Gadolinium was detected by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1880 and later isolated by Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. It is named after Johan Gadolin, whose work helped launch rare earth chemistry.
Gadolinium-152
Natural abundance: About 0.2%. Rare natural gadolinium isotope.Gadolinium-154
Natural abundance: About 2.2%. Stable isotope of gadolinium.Gadolinium-155
Natural abundance: About 14.8%. Very high thermal neutron absorption cross section.Gadolinium-156
Natural abundance: About 20.5%. Stable isotope of gadolinium.Gadolinium-157
Natural abundance: About 15.7%. One of the strongest known thermal neutron absorbers.Gadolinium-158
Natural abundance: About 24.8%. Most abundant natural gadolinium isotope.Gadolinium-160
Natural abundance: About 21.9%. Stable isotope of gadolinium.Gd-DTPA
Gadolinium DTPALinear MRI contrast agent family.Gd-DOTA
Gadolinium DOTAMacrocyclic MRI contrast agent family with high complex stability.Gd₂O₃
Gadolinium(III) OxideNeutron absorber, optical material and gadolinium compound precursor.Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂
Gadolinium Gallium GarnetSubstrate for magneto-optic and microwave materials.- Chelated gadolinium MRI contrast agents for medical imaging
- Gadolinium isotopes as neutron absorbers and burnable poisons in nuclear reactors
- Magnetocaloric cooling research near room temperature
- Gadolinium gallium garnet substrates and magneto-optic materials
- Alloy additions for magnetic and electronic materials
Gadolinium has no essential biological role. Free Gd³⁺ is toxic, so medical MRI agents use chelates designed to hold gadolinium tightly and help the body excrete it.
- Gd³⁺ has seven unpaired 4f electrons, giving it strong paramagnetism useful in MRI contrast.
- Gadolinium-157 has an exceptionally large neutron capture cross section.
- Gadolinium metal has a Curie temperature near room temperature, making it important in magnetocaloric research.
- Gadolinium’s electron configuration includes a 5d electron because the half-filled 4f⁷ arrangement is especially stable.
- Gadolinium has atomic number 64 and is a lanthanide.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s².
- Gd³⁺ is highly paramagnetic because of seven unpaired f electrons.
- Remember gadolinium for MRI contrast and neutron absorption.
What is the atomic number of gadolinium?
The atomic number of gadolinium is 64.
What is the electron configuration of gadolinium?
Gadolinium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s².
What is gadolinium used for?
Gadolinium is used in MRI contrast agents, neutron absorbers, magnetocaloric research and magneto-optic materials.
Why is gadolinium used in MRI?
Chelated gadolinium shortens relaxation times in MRI because Gd³⁺ is strongly paramagnetic.
Why is gadolinium important in nuclear reactors?
Gadolinium isotopes such as Gd-155 and Gd-157 absorb neutrons very strongly and can help control reactor reactivity.
Is free gadolinium safe?
Free gadolinium ions are toxic; medical agents use chelates to bind gadolinium and reduce risk.