Unit- 8

The d & f block elements

Periodic table
 The Elements
belonging to
group 3 to12 of
transition d-block elements:
the periodic table
are known as d-

elements
block elements.

In these elements
d-block elements
(d-block) last electron enter
in to penultimate
lie between s and
p-block elements.
d-orbital.

Introduction
 Transition series

La

Ac
 Transition series
• d-block consists of four transition series

• 1st Transition series or 3d series 21Sc to 30Zn

• 2nd Transition series or 4d series 39Y to 48Cd

• 3rd Transition series or 5d series 57La, 72Hf to

80Hg

• 4th Transition series or 6d series 89Ac, 104Rf to

112Cn
 Transition Elements
 Transition elements:
• Element which has partially filled penultimate d-subshell
in ground state or most common oxidation state are
known as transition elements.

• All d-block elements are not transition elements but all

transition elements are d- block elements.

• Zn, Cd & Hg are not considered as transition metals.

 General Electronic Configuration

(n-1)d1-10 ns1-2
Transition metals attracted towards Magnet
 General properties of transition elements

• High M.p & B.p • Magnetic properties.

• Atomic and ionic size • Coloured ions.

progressively deceasing

• high Ionisation enthalpy • Formation of complexes

• variable Oxidation state • Catalytic properties

• Standard electrode • Formation of interstitial

potential. compounds.
• Oxide formation.
• Reactivity in +3 OS
 Melting and Boiling Point
Melting and Boiling Point: Generally High
• d block elements have large no. of unpaired electrons
hence they form strong metallic bond. Their melting and
boiling points are high.

Specific cases:
• Exceptionally Zn ,Cd and Hg have low melting and boiling
point. Because no unpaired electrons. No strong metallic
bond.
• Mn and Tc have abnormally low m.p.
• Group 6 elements have highest m.p in corresponding
period (Cr, Mo, W).
• Tungsten has highest m.p among metals.
Metallic bond formation
 Variation in atomic and ionic radii

• Atomic size decreases left to right.

• Increases at the end of series.

• 4d & 5d series have almost same

size.(due to lanthanoid
contraction)
 Ionisation Enthalpy

• Generally increases due to increases in nuclear charge

from left to right in series .

• IE1<IE2< IE3 in each group due to positive charge on

them.

• IE1 of 5d series is much higher than those of 4d and 3d

due to weak shielding by 4f electrons.
 Oxidation State

• Transition elements have variable oxidation state , due to

very small energy difference between(n-1)d and ns
subshell . Electrons from both the subshell take part in
bonding.

• No. of Oxidation states α no. of unpaired electrons.

• Mn shows all oxidation states from +2 to +7 .

 Variation in oxidation state

• Low oxidation state are found when a complex

compound has ligands capable of π-acceptor
character in addition to the sigma bonding, e.g.
Ni(CO)4, Fe(CO)5.