Rhenium (Re): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Rhenium (Re) is element 75 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 7. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d5 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 13, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 186.21 u.
▶ Watch Rhenium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableRhenium at a glance
| Symbol | Re |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 75 |
| Atomic mass | 186.21 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 7 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d5 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d5 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 13, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.9 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Rhenium on the periodic table?
Rhenium is in period 6, group 7, in the d-block. The period number matches its 6 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Technetium sits directly above it and Bohrium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Rhenium
Put 75 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 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). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s².
How electronegative is Rhenium?
Rhenium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.9, ranking 37 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Rhenium?
The electron configuration of Rhenium (Re) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d5 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f14 5d5 6s2.
How many electrons does Rhenium have in each shell?
Rhenium has 75 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 13, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Rhenium?
The standard atomic weight of Rhenium is 186.21 u, so one mole of Rhenium atoms has a mass of about 186.21 g.
Is Rhenium a metal?
Yes. Rhenium is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten, Osmium, Iridium, Platinum. See all elements on the periodic table.