TRANSITION ELEMENTS

Between groups II and III is a collection of elements with similar properties. They are the
elements in which the penultimate d-orbital is being filled with electrons. It is expected that 4s
orbital is being filled before 3d orbital but 4s orbital has lower energy than 3d orbital; hence 4s
orbital is filled first. When all the five 3d orbitals are completely fully-filled or half-filled, the
elements possess special stability than expected.
d-block elements Atomic number Electronic configuration Ions Colour of ion
Scandium 21 2 2 6 2 6
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 1 2
Sc 3+
Colourless
Titanium 22 1s22s22p63s23p63d24s2 Ti3+ Purple
Vanadium 23 1s22s22p63s23p63d34s2 V3+ Green
Chromium 24 1s22s22p63s23p63d54s1 Cr3+ Violet
Manganese 25 2 2 6 2 6
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 5 2
Mn 3+
Violet
Mn2+ Pink
Iron 26 1s22s22p63s23p63d64s2 Fe3+ Brown
Fe 2+
Green
Cobalt 27 1s22s22p63s23p63d74s2 Co2+ Pink
Nickel 28 1s22s22p63s23p63d84s2 Ni2+ Green
Copper 29 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s
2 2 6 2 6 10 1
Cu 2+
Blue
Zinc 30 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s2 Zn2+ Colourless

Characteristic features of transition metals

1. They have variable oxidation states. This is due to the little difference in ionization
energy between 3d and 4s orbitals. They can loose electrons from both 3d and 4s to form a
number of oxidation states. for example:

Manganese can loose 2 electrons from the 4s orbital to form oxidation state +2 as in MnCl 2

It can also lose 2 electrons each from 4s and 3d orbitals to form oxidation state of +4 as in
MnO2

It can also lose 2 electrons from the 4s orbital and five electrons from the 3d orbitals to form
oxidation state of +7 as in MnO4-. The difference between the successive ionization energies are
small and so allow formation of stable ions at each stage. The lower oxidation states (+2 and
+3) occur in ionic compounds (chromium III and manganese II) while the higher oxidation
states exist in covalent compounds or oxoanions.

2. Formation of coloured ions: This is due to the presence of unpaired electrons in the d
orbital. When white light falls on a transition metal, some of the energies of these colours
are absorbed to excite the d- electrons. The remaining light now lacking in other colours
cannot appear as white. The remaining light is transmitted as the colour of the ion.

3. Complex ion formation: A complex ion has a central positive ion linked to several other
atoms, ions or molecules called ligands. The ligands donate pair of electrons into the
vacant/partially filled 3d-orbital of the metal ion e.g in tetraaquo copper (II) ion, copper ion
undergoes ligand exchange with ammonia to form tetra amine copper(II) ion which is deep
blue in colour
[Cu(H2O)4]2+(aq) + 4NH3(aq) → [Cu(NH3)4]2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)
Tetraamine copper (II) ion

[Fe(H2O)6]3(aq) + 6CN-(aq) → [Fe(CN)6]3-(aq) + 6H2O(l)

hexacyanoferrate (III) ion

Ions with higher oxidation states e.g Fe3+, Co3+ are more stable than those with lower
oxidation state Fe2+, Co2+.
4. Catalytic property: This is due to the ability of the atoms of the elements to form
bonds with reactant molecules because of large number of 3d and 4s electrons.
Transition metals are good catalysts because they can change their oxidation states
easily.e.g
a. Manganese (IV) oxide MnO2 is used to speed up the decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide
2H2O2((l) 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
b. Finely divided Iron MnO2 is used to speed up the Haber process (ammonia)
N2(g) + 3H2(gl) 2NH3(g)
c. Nickel is used to in the hydrogenation of oil and alkenes
C2H4(g) + H2((l) C2H6(g))
Oil + H2((l) Margarine(s)
d. Vanadium (V) oxide is used in the solvay process (manufacture of sulphur (VI)
oxide)
2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g)
5. Paramagnetic property: Paramagnetism is a phenomenon whereby a substance is
weakly attracted to a strong magnetic field due to unpaired electrons in the element.
The more the number of unpaired electrons, the more the intensity of the paramagnetic
property. Diamagnetism is a phenomenon whereby a substance is weakly repelled from
a strong magnetic field.

THE INNER TRANSITION ELEMENTS (LANTHANIDES AND ACTINDES)

The Lanthanides are known as the rare earth metals. In the 6 th period, there are
fifteen elements which show a great resemblance and so are classed together.
The Actinides: These are known as the artificial elements. They do not occur naturally
but were discovered as products of nuclear reaction. They are unstable and disintegrate
in a short time.