2.3 Transition Elements Flashcards
What are d-block elements?
Elements with their outer electrons in the d sub-shell
- The highest energy sub-shell is a d sub-shell
- Found between group 2 and group 3 in the periodic table
Define a transition element
A d-block element at forms an ion with an incomplete d sub-shell
Which d-block elements aren’t transition elements?
The first and last columns in the row - i.e. Scandium and zinc, since their d-orbitals are empty and full respectively
How is the electron configuration for chromium and copper different and why is this?
The 4s orbitals only contain 1 electron:
- Chromium puts the “2nd” electron into the 3d orbital to make it half full, which creates a more stable molecule
- Copper does the same, making the 3d orbital full
Which electrons are lost first: 3d or 4s? Why?
4s, since these have a higher energy once the electrons occupy the orbitals
List some physical properties of transition metals
- Shiny in appearance
- High densities
- High melting points
- High boiling points
- When solid, exist as giant metallic lattices containing delocalised electrons, which move to conduct electricity
- Form compounds in which the transition metal has different oxidation states, which form coloured solutions when dissolved in water
- They all form 2+ ions
- Their highest oxidation state is often found in a strong oxidising agent
Why do transition elements form coloured aqueous compounds?
- When light passes through a solution containing transition metal ions, some of the wavelengths of visible light are absorbed
- The colour that we observe is a mixture of the wavelengths of light that have not been absorbed
- The colour is linked to the partially filled d-orbitals
What are the 2 main ways in which transition metal catalysis can take place?
- They provide a surface on which a reaction can take place. Reactants are adsorbed onto the surface of the metal and held in place while a reaction occurs. After the reaction, the products are desorbed and the metal remains unchanged
- They have the ability to change oxidation states by gaining or losing electrons. They then bind to reactants, forming intermediates as part of a chemical pathway with a lower activation energy
Give examples of a chemical reaction that uses a transition metal compound as a catalyst
- The Haber process: makes ammonia, iron metal catalyst (increases R.o.R, lowers temp at which the reaction takes place)
- Contact process: converts sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide, in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, vanadium(V) oxide catalyst
- Hydrogenation of alkenes: nickel metal catalyst, used to lower the temp and pressure needed to carry out the reaction
- Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide: manganese(IV) oxide (MnO2) catalyst, used to increase R.o.R
What is a precipitation reaction?
One in which soluble ions, in separate solutions, are mixed together to produce an insoluble compound (which settles out of solution as a solid)
What happens when transition metal ions react with aqueous NaOH?
They form coloured precipitates
What is a complex ion?
A transition metal ion bonded to 1 or more ligands by coordinate bonds (dative covalent bonds)
What is a ligand?
A molecule or ion that can donate a pair of electrons with the transition metal ion to form a coordinate bond
What is the coordination number of a complex ion?
The total number of coordinate bonds formed between a central metal ion and its ligands
How do you work out the overall charge of a complex ion?
Work out the sum of the individual charges of the transition metal ion and those of the ligands present in the complex
What is a monodentate ligand?
A ligand that donates just 1 pair of electrons to the central metal ion to form 1 coordinate bond
What is the charge on the water ligand?
None: it is a neutral ligand
What is the charge on the ammonia ligand? (:NH3)
None: it is a neutral ligand
What is the charge on all ligands other than water or ammonia?
-1
What is the most common shape of a complex ion?
The octahedral shape