Topic 15 Transition Metals

Question 1

What is the definition of transition metals?

Answer 1

d-block elements that form one or more stable ions with incompletely filled d-orbitals

Question 2

Why aren’t Scandium and Zinc non transition metals?

Answer 2

Zn can only have 2+ charge (lost from 4s orbital, no e-s can be lost from d block, most stable full)
Sc only does 3+ charge (can only form an empty d-block, symmetrical again)

Question 3

When are d block elements most stable?

Answer 3

Half full (5 electrons)
Or full (10 electrons)

Question 4

Why can transition metals change oxidation numbers so much?

Answer 4

3d energy level is very close to 4s, transition metals usually lose 4s and capable of losing any unpair 3d e-s as well

Question 5

What are properties of transition metals?

Answer 5

• form complex ions
• colourful compounds
• catalytic properties (both ions and compounds)
• variable oxidation states
• hard / dense / high mp bp

Question 6

What does hydrated mean for ions?

Answer 6

Ions surrounded by H2O molecules

Question 7

How do transition metals interact with water?

Answer 7

covalent bonds
(dative sometimes)

Question 8

What are properties of transition metal complex ions?

Answer 8

• small
• highly charged = high charge density

Question 9

What is a ligand?

Answer 9

forms dative covalent bond with a (transitional) metal ion (except aluminium)

Question 10

How to write a complex ion?

Answer 10

[M(H2O)6] ^3+ (aq)

Question 11

What do lone pairs have to be/have?

Answer 11

nucleophile / lone pair

Question 12

What is a monodentate ligand?

Answer 12

Has 1 lone pair

Question 13

What is a bidentate ligand?

Answer 13

Has 2 lone pairs that are the same distance from each other so they can take 2 bites at the same time
eg H2N-CH2CH2-NH2

Question 14

What is a coordination number?

Answer 14

number of dative covalent bonds
(NOT number of ligands)