3.2.5.1 General properties of transition metals

What Are Transition Metals?

Transition metal characteristics of elements Ti-Cu arise from an incomplete d sub-level in atoms or ions.

Key Properties of Transition Metals

-Complex formation

-Formation of coloured ions

-Variable oxidation state

-Catalytic activity.

What elements found in the d-block but do not meet the definition of a transition element

-Scandium only forms Sc3+ ions with an electron configuration of [Ar], meaning an empty d sub-shell.

-Zinc only forms Zn2+ ions with an electron configuration of [Ar]3d10, meaning a full d sub-shell.

Explain the electronic configuration of chromium and copper

-Chromium has the configuration [Ar]3d54s1 rather than [Ar]3d44s2 because a half-filled d sub-shell (d5) provides greater stability.

-Similarly, copper has the configuration [Ar]3d104s1 rather than [Ar]3d94s2 because a full d sub-shell (d10) provides greater stability.

What is a ligand?

A ligand is a molecule or ion that forms a co-ordinate bond with a transition metal by donating a pair of electrons.

What is a complex

A complex is a central metal atom or ion surrounded by ligands.

Co-ordination number

Co-ordination number is number of co-ordinate bonds to the central metal atom or ion.