Transition Metals/Family Properties(CHE 2C)

Scandium

• found in uranium ores

• +3 most common ox state

• similar chem to Al, Y, and lantha

• colorless and diamagnetic

• applications = high intensity lamps, aluminum alloys, and dentistry lasers

Yttrium

• found in lunar rock samples

• applications = red phosphors in TV, CRTs, and LEDS, alloys, cancer treatment, and superconductors

Titanium

• found in mineral deposits, living things, soils, bodies of water, and rocks

• low density, high strength, and low corrosion

• similar properties to C and Si

• +3 and +4 common ox states

• applications = aircraft, artificial bones/joints, catalyst for plastics, white pigment in paper, and jewelry

Zirconium

• chemically resistant and used in aggressive environments

• applications = opacifier, crucibles, and jewelry

Hafnium

• applications = integrated circuits and control rods

Vanadium

• makes strong and tough steels

• compounds are toxic

• +5 most common ox state

• applications = engine parts, axles, and sulfuric acid production

Niobium

• very similar and hard to distinguish like Ta

• applications = hypoallergenic uses, steel alloy, and pacemakers

Tantalum

• corrosion resistant

• applications = alloy, capacitors in modern electronic devices, and substitute for Pt

Chromium

• corrosion resistant

• many compounds have intense colors

• commonly produced by roasting or leaching

• toxic and carcinogenic

• +2, +3, and +6 most common ox states

• applications = plating, cleaning solutions, red color of rubies, pigments, leather tanning, wood preservative, and catalyst

Molybdenum

• applications = enzymes, pigments, catalysts, and alloys

Tungsten

• only third row element found in biomolecules

• high density and highest metal mp

• applications = hard materials and light bulbs

Manganese

• ox state varies from +2 to +7

• applications = batteries, catalysts, hard steel, pigment, rust treatment, biological trace element, and gasoline additive

Technetium

• most produced synthetically as by product

• smallest element that has no stable isotopes

• applications = catalysts and equipment calibration by beta emission

Rhenium

• very dense with high mp

• extremely expensive

• applications = jet and rocket engines, petroleum catalyst, and treating liver cancer

Iron

• most important in modern civilization

• most common by mass on earth/forms the inner and outer core

• +2 and +3 most common ox states

• applications = steel, alloys, and heme

Ruthenium

• applications = electrical components and solar energy

Osmium

• naturally blue color

• least abundant stable element on earth’s crust

• most dense

• very toxic, volatile, and pyrophoric

• applications = very hard alloys, fountain pen tips, and electrical contacts

Cobalt

• used to color glass

• +2 and +3 most common ox states

• applications = alloys, magnets, stainless steel, dyes, Li-ion batter, catalyst, and vitamin b12

Rhodium

• corrosion resistant and low electrical resistance

• pure Rh is inert

• applications = catalytic converters and jewelry

Iridium

• very dense, hard, brittle, and corrosion resistant

• +3 and +4 most common ox states

• applications = crucibles, catalysts, and cancer radio treatment

Nickel

• corrosion resistant

• +2 most common ox state

• applications = plating, steel, alloys, coinage, electroplating, magnets, NiCad batteries, guitar strings, and catalysts for hydrogenation

Palladium

• versatile catalysts

• applications = catalytic converters, medical equipment, jewelry, and blood sugar test strips

Platinum

• least reactive metal

• +2 and +4 most common ox states

• applications = catalyst, catalytic converter, and jewelry

Copper

• common in coinage

• naturally blue color and high conductivity

• 100% recyclable to original state

• +1 and +2 common ox states

• applications = batteries, biomolecules, plating, trace dietary mineral, pigment, wires, integrated circuits, motors, architecture, and copper proteins

Silver

• tarnishes to black when reacting with sulfur

• applications = jewelry, tableware, utensils, coins, photographic films, disinfectants, tooth fillings, and batteries

Gold

• does not oxidize in air or water

• most malleable

• inert to body chemistry

• applications = jewelry, coinage, dentistry, wiring, and electronics

Zinc

• +2 most common ox state

• similar chem as Mg

• prepared by roasting ore

• corrosion resistant, hard, brittle, diamagnetic, and reducing agent

• applications = galvanizing, batteries, supplements, deodorants, anti-dandruff, essential mineral, and alloys

Cadmium

• blue-white metal, low mp

• +2 most common ox state

• highly toxic when ingested or inhaled

• applications = corrosion resistant plating, stabilize plastic, batteries, and pigment

Mercury

• only metal that is liquid at STP

• low mp and bp

• similar to noble gases

• +1 and +2 most common ox states

• toxic by ingestion or inhalation

• applications = thermometers, barometers, dental fillings, and fluorescent lights

Lanthanides

• similar chem to Sc and Y

• highly reactive with halogens and chalcogens

• +3 most common ox state but +2 and +4 are possible

• difficult to separate metals in ores

• considered low toxicity

• applications = catalytic converters, petroleum-refining catalysts, lasers, superconductors, magnets, and catalysts

Actinides

• radioactive and paramagnetic

• similar properties to lanthanides

• applications = nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons, smoke detectors, and radioactive dating