Why does nickel have an expanded octet?

[vuongnaomi1L]

Since nickel has n=4, which means it contains the f-orbitals, is this why it has an expanded octet?

[Kristina Krivenko 3I]

Ni is in period 4 and is a transition metal, so it has 3d orbitals that it can use to have expanded octet.

Also, Ni does not have f-orbitals. Remember that f-orbitals lag by 2, so 4f orbitals do not appear until period 6.

Hope this helps :)

[Jay Solanki 3A]

To add to this, Ni2+ is very common in coordination compounds, of which it uses its expanded octet in some cases to form octahedral structures. Just thought I would introduce a biological application. Hope this helps!

[Brandon Carris]

Nickel can end up holding 10 total valence electrons just because of its 4s and 3d subshells.

[Nicole Bruno Dis 1B]

Since nickel contains 2 electrons from the 4s subshell and 8 electrons from the 3d subshell, it can form up to 10 bonds in a coordination compound (hence the reason for the expanded octet).

[Sejal Parsi 3K]

Nickel can hold up to 10 total valence electrons because of its 3d and 4s subshells.

[Janys Li - 1L]

Hi! I think Nickel has an expanded octet because it has a large number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Elements starting from period 3 can hold more than 8 electrons, and hence an expanded octet, in their orbits.