The d & f-Block Elements
Scandium (Z = 21) is a transition
element but Zinc (Z = 30) is not?
Ag (4d10) but it is a transition
element?
Transition elements exhibit higher
enthalpies of atomisation?
Enthalpy of atomization of zinc is
low
Having no variable oxidation states.
Largest number of oxidation states.
Why is Cr2+ reducing and Mn3+
oxidising when both have d4
configuration.
The E0(M2+/M) value for copper is
+ve
Oxidising power:VO2+ < Cr2O72– <
MnO4–
Account for the irregular variation of
IE
The E0 (M2+/M) values are not
regular
E0 of Mn3+/Mn2+ is more positive
than that for Cr3+/Cr2+ or Fe3+/Fe2+?
Explain.
Highest oxidation state of a metal
exhibited in its oxide or fluoride
Which is a stronger reducing agent
Cr2+ or Fe2+ and why ?
Magnetic moment of a divalent ion
in aqueous solution if its atomic
number is 25.
Calculate the ‘spin only’ magnetic
moment of M2+ (aq) ion (Z = 27).
What is meant by
‘disproportionation’ of an oxidation
state? Give an example.
Incompletely filled 3d orbitals in case of scandium
Zn & Zn2+ have completely filled d orbitals (3d10)
Ag has +2 oxidation state having incompletely filled d-
orbital
Because of large number of unpaired electrons in their
atoms they have stronger interatomic interaction
In the formation of metallic bonds, no electrons from
3d-orbitals are involved in case of zinc(3d10)
Scandium (Z = 21)
Mn(+2 to +7) Because it has largest number of unpaired
electrons
Cr2+ changes from d4 to d3(stable).On the other hand, the
change from Mn2+ to Mn3+ results in the half-filled (d5)
Due to its high ΔaH0 and low ΔhydH0)
This is due to the increasing stability of the lower
species
Due to varying degree of stability of different 3d-
configurations
Due to the irregular variation of IE , sublimation
enthalpies
Much larger third IE of Mn (where the required change
is d5 to d4) is mainly responsible for this.
Small size and high electronegativity O or F can oxidise
the metal to its highest oxidation state.
Cr2+ is stronger reducing agent than Fe2+
Reason: d4 → d3 occurs in case of Cr2+ to Cr3+, d3 is
stable
But d6 → d5 occurs in case of Fe2+ to Fe3+
d5 Configuration (five unpaired electrons). The magnetic
moment, μ is μ = √5(5+2) = 5.92BM
M2+ (aq) ion (Z = 27)  d7  3 unpaired electrons
μ = √3(3+2) = 3.87BM
When a particular oxidation state becomes less stable
relative to other oxidation states, one lower, one higher,
it is said to undergo disproportionation. For example,
Mn (VI) becomes unstable relative to Mn(VII) and Mn
(IV) in acidic solution.

Explain why Cu+ ion is not stable in
aqueous solutions?
Lanthanoids to exhibit +4 oxidation
state.
Actinoid contraction is greater than
lanthanoid contraction. Why?
Mn2+ more stable than Fe2+
Stable oxidation state for : 3d3, 3d5,
3d8 and 3d4?
Oxometal anions in which the metal
exhibits the oxidation state equal to
its group number.
What is lanthanoid contraction?
What are the consequences of
lanthanoid contraction?
In what way is the electronic
configuration of the transition
elements different
from that of the non transition
elements?
Oxidation states of the lanthanoids?
Transition metals are paramagnetic
Enthalpies of atomisation of the
transition metals are high.
Transition metal form coloured
compounds
Transition metals and their many
compounds act as good catalyst.
How is the variability in oxidation
states of transition metals different
from
that of the non transition metals?
Illustrate with examples.
3 MnO4 2– + 4 H+ → 2 MnO4- + MnO2 + 2H2O
Cu+ in aqueous solution undergoes disproportionation,
2Cu+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + Cu(s) The E0 is favourable for
this
Cerium (Z = 58)
5f electrons themselves provide poor shielding from
element to
element in the actinoid series.
It is because Mn2+ has 3d5 configuration which is
stability.
3d3 (V): (+2), +3, +4, and +5 ; 3d5 (Cr): +3, +4, +6
3d5 (Mn): +2, +4, +6, +7 ; 3d8 (Co): +2, +3 (in
complexes)
3d4 There is no d4 configuration in the ground state.
Vanadate VO3−, Chromate Cr2O4− ,
Permanganate MnO4−
Gradual decrease of atomic radii form La to Lu
Consequences : similar properties of 2nd and 3rd rows
transition elements
In transition elements the last electron goes into
penultimate shell
+3 is the common oxidation lso +3, oxidation states +2
and +4
For having unpaired electrons
Due to strong metallic bonding
Due to incompletely filled d-orbital there is d-d electron
transition
Because they can adopt variable oxidation states to form
different intermediate
In transition elements the oxidation states vary by one
For example, for Mn it may vary as +2, +3, +4, +5, +6,
+7.
In the nontransition elements the variation is selective,
always differing by 2, e.g. +2, +4, or +3, +5 or +4, +6

Which of the following will be
coloured Ti3+,V3+,Cu+,Sc3+,Mn2+, Fe3+
& Co2+.
Of the d4 species, Cr2+ is reducing
while Mn(III) is strongly oxidising.
Co(II) is stable in aq sol but in the
presence of complexing reagents it
easily oxidised.
The d1 configuration is unstable in
ions.
Which transition metal has +1
oxidation state most frequently and
why?
Calculate the number of unpaired
electrons in the following gaseous
ions: Mn3+,
Cr3+, V3+ and Ti3+. Which one of these
is the most stable in aqueous
solution?
The lowest oxide of transition metal
is basic, the highest is
amphoteric/acidic.
A transition metal exhibits highest
oxidation state in oxides
and fluorides.
The highest oxidation state is
exhibited in oxoanions of a metal.
Which is the last element in the
series of the actinoids? Write the
electronic
configuration of this element.
Comment on the possible oxidation
state of
this element.
etc.
Except Sc3+, all others will be coloured due to
incompletely filled 3d-orbitals, will give rise to d-d
transitions.
Cr2+ is reducing as it change from d4 to d3, the latter is
more stable Mn(III) to Mn(II) is from 3d4 to 3d5 again
3d5 is stable
Due to CFSE, which more than compensates the 3rd IE.
The hydration or lattice energy more than compensates
the ionisation enthalpy involved in removing electron
from d1.
Cu, because with +1 oxidation state an stable
configuration, 3d10
Unpaired electrons Mn3+ = 4, Cr3+ = 3, V3+ = 2, Ti3+ = 1.
Most stable Cr3+
In lowest oxidation state ionic bond is formed but in
highest oxidation state covalent bond is formed
O and F are strong oxidizing agents and can excite
electrons
Oxygen is strong oxidizing agent
Lawrencium(103)
5f 146d17s2
+3