1.3 Transition Metals

Question 1

Transition Metal Complex

Answer 1

A transition metal complex has a metal ion or atom at its centre with several other molecules or ions surrounding it called ligands.

Question 2

Ligand

Answer 2

Ligands have at least one pair of non-bonding electrons which can form a dative covalent bond (co-ordinate bonds) to the metal and is donated into an empty orbital of the transition metal.

Question 3

Monodentate Ligand

Answer 3

Ligands that form one co-ordinate bond using one non-bonding pair of electrons to a metal atom or ion.

Question 4

Lewis Acids and Bases in Complexes

Answer 4

Ligands are referred to as Lewis bases since they donate electrons to the central metal atom. The metals are Lewis acids since they accept electrons.

Question 5

Exceptions to Transition Metals following Aufbau Principle

Answer 5

Copper and Chromium atoms

Question 6

Oxidation Number Rules

Answer 6

• Oxygen has ON of -2
• Hydrogen has ON of +1

Question 7

Reduction and Oxidation in terms of Oxidation Number

Answer 7

Oxidation is increase in oxidation number
Reduction is decrease in oxidation number

Question 8

Coordination Number

Answer 8

Total number of co-ordinate bonds from the ligand to the central metal ion.

Question 9

Spectrochemical Series

Answer 9

Ligands placed in order of their ability to split d orbitals

Question 10

Heterogeneous Catalysts

Answer 10

In a different state to the reactants

Question 11

Homogeneous Catalysts

Answer 11

In the same state as the reactants

Question 12

Oxidising and Reducing Agents in terms of Oxidation Number

Answer 12

Compounds containing metals in high oxidation states tend to be oxidising agents.
Compounds containing metals in low oxidation states tend to be reducing agents.

Question 13

How do transition metals act as catalysts?

Answer 13

Unpaired d electrons