5.3.1 Transition Elements

Question 1

deduce the electron configurations of atoms

and ions of the d-block elements of Period 4

(Sc–Zn) , given the atomic number and

charge;

Question 2

describe the elements Ti–Cu as transition

elements, ie d-block elements that have an

ion with an incomplete d sub-shell;

Question 3

illustrate:

(i) the existence of more than one oxidation state for each element in its compounds,
(ii) the formation of coloured ions,
(iii) the catalytic behaviour of the elements and/or their compounds;

Question 4

describe, including ionic equations, the simple precipitation reactions and the accompanying colour changes of Cu2+(aq),

Co2+(aq), Fe2+(aq) and Fe3+(aq) with aqueous sodium hydroxide;

Question 5

explain the term ligand in terms of coordinate

bonding;

Question 6

state and use the terms complex ion and

coordination number;

Question 7

state and give examples of complexes with

sixfold coordination with an octahedral

shape;

Question 8

explain and use the term bidentate ligand (eg

NH2CH2CH2NH2, ‘en’);

Question 9

describe the types of stereoisomerism shown by complexes, including those associated with bidentate and multidentate ligands:

(i) cis-trans isomerism, eg Ni(NH3)2Cl2,
(ii) optical isomerism, eg

[Ni(NH2CH2CH2NH2)3]2+;

Question 10

describe the use of cis-platin as an anticancer drug and its action by binding to DNA in cancer cells, preventing division

Question 11

describe the process of ligand substitution and the accompanying colour changes in the

formation of:

(i) [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+ and [CuCl4]2– from [Cu(H2O)6]2+,
(ii) [CoCl4]2– from [Co(H2O)6]2+;

Question 12

explain the biochemical importance of iron in

haemoglobin, including ligand substitution

involving O2 and CO;

Question 13

state that the stability constant, Kstab,, of a

complex ion is the equilibrium constant for

the formation of the complex ion in a solvent

from its constituent ions;

Question 14

deduce expressions for the stability constant,

Kstab, of a ligand substitution, eg

M2+(aq) + 6X–(aq) ⇔MX6 4–(aq) Kstab = [MX6 4–(aq)]/[M2+(aq)][X–(aq)]6

Question 15

relate ligand substitution reactions of complexes to stability constants and understand that a large Kstab results in formation of a stable complex ion;

Question 16

describe, using suitable examples, redox

behaviour in transition elements;

Question 17

carry out redox titrations, and carry out

structured calculations, involving MnO4– and I2/S2O32

Question 18

perform non-structured titration calculations,

based on experimental results.