Ch5.3 Transition elements Flashcards
Which 2 elements are exceptions to the Aufbau principle?
chromium and copper
How is chromium an exception to the Aufbau principle?
- 3d and 4s orbitals all contain 1 unpaired e-
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d5
How is copper an exception to the Aufbau principle?
- 3d orbital is filled completely leaving 4s half-filled
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10
Which electrons are lost first when ions are formed of the transition elements and why?
- 4s electrons are lost before the 3d electrons unlike in all other elements
- this is because, once filled, the 4s electrons have a slightly higher energy than the 3d electrons
Define transition metal
a d block element that has an incomplete d-subshell as a stable ion
What are the physical properties of transition metals?
- high density
- high melting and boiling points
- shiny in appearance (lustrous)
- conduct electricity
What are the chemical properties of transition metals?
- have variable oxidation states
- transition metal compounds form coloured solutions in water
- catalysts
Can transition metals form ions with more than one stable oxidation state?
Yes
- all of the transition metals in period 4 do this (Ti to Cu)
Which compounds containing transition metals can act as strong oxidising agents?
- compounds containing a transition metal in a high oxidation state
eg. potassium manganate (VII) KMnO4
eg. potassium dichromate (VI)
K2Cr2O7
Explain what is meant by the statement: compounds of transition metals can undergo disproportionation
- the transition metal species is both oxidised and reduced in the same reaction
Explain why transition metal compounds are often coloured
- white light hits an object and part of the spectrum is absored by the object and the remaining is reflected which is the light we see
- as light hits a transition metal ion, the electrons become excited (energised) and if there are some partially filled d sub-shells available, they can move up an energy level
- as the electrons then drop back down, they release light energy which we see as colour
NOTE: a compound will only be coloured if the transition metal ion has partially filled d subshells
Define catalyst
- a substance which speeds up a reaction by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy and isn’t used up itself in the reaction
Why are transition metals good catalysts?
- reactants are ADsorbed to the surface of a transition metal where it may gain or lose electrons and form an intermediate allowing a pathway with a lower activation energy
- the transition metals can vary in oxidation states and once the reaction has occurred, the products are DEsorbed and the transition metal remains unchanged
What is the equation for hydrogen production?
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) –> ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
What is the catalyst for the reaction for hydrogen production?
CuSO4 or Cu2+ ion
What is the equation for the contact process?
2SO2 + O2 ⇌ 2SO3
What is the catalyst for the reaction of the contact process?
V2O5 or V5+ ion
What is the equation for oxygen production?
2H2O2 –> 2H20 + O2
What is the catalyst for the reaction for oxygen production?
MnO2 or Mn4+ ion
What is the equation for the Haber process?
N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3
What is the equation for the hydrogenation of ethene?
C2H4 + H2 –> C2H6
What is the catalyst for a catalytic converter?
Pt or Pd
What is the catalyst for vitamin B12?
Co
Define ligand
a molecule or ion that can donate a pair of electrons to the central transition metal ion to form a coordinate bond (dative covalent bond)
Define coordinate bond
a bond in which one of the bonded atoms provides both electrons for the covalent bond
State some features of ligands
- all ligands have at least one lone pair of electrons
- ligands can be neutral molecules or charged