Page "Copernicium" Paragraph 1

Copernicium is the last member of the 6d series of transition metals and the heaviest group 12 element in the periodic table, below zinc, cadmium and mercury.

It is predicted to differ significantly from lighter group 12 elements.

Due to stabilization of 7s electronic orbitals and destabilization of 6d ones caused by relativistic effects, Cn < sup > 2 +</ sup > is likely to have a 5f < sup > 14 </ sup > 6d < sup > 8 </ sup > 7s < sup > 2 </ sup > electronic configuration, breaking 6d orbitals before 7s one, unlike its homologues.

In water solutions, copernicium is likely to form + 2 and + 4 oxidation states, with the latter one being more stable.

Among lighter group 12 members, for which the + 2 oxidation state is the most common, only mercury can show + 4 oxidation state, but it is highly uncommon, existing at only one compound ( mercury ( IV ) fluoride, HgF < sub > 4 </ sub >) at extreme conditions .< ref >