Transition metals Flashcards
What are d block transition metals
The d-block transition metals are metals with an incomplete d subshell in at least one of their ions.
The filling of d orbitals follows what principal
The filling of the d orbitals follows the aufbau principle, with the exception of chromium and copper atoms.
Why do chromium and copper atoms not follow the aufbau principal
These exceptions are due to the special stability associated with the d subshell being half- filled or completely filled.
What happens to electrons when atoms from the first row of transition elements form ions
When atoms from the first row of the transition elements form ions, it is the 4s electrons that are lost first rather than the 3d electrons.
When is a element said to be in a particular oxidation state
An element is said to be in a particular oxidation state when it has a specific oxidation number.
How many states can a transition metal have in its compounds
A transition metal can have different oxidation states in its compounds.
What colours are compounds of the same transition metal in different oxidation states
Compounds of the same transition metal in different oxidation states may have different colours.
Oxidation
Oxidation can be defined as an increase in oxidation number.
Reduction
Reduction can be considered as a decrease in oxidation number.
What can be used to determine whether ox or red has occurred in transition metals
Changes in oxidation number of transition metal ions can be used to determine whether oxidation or reduction has occurred.
What is the difference in compounds containing Hugh oxidation states compared to low oxidation states
Compounds containing metals in high oxidation states are often oxidising agents, whereas compounds with metals in low oxidation states are often reducing agents.
What are ligands
Ligands may be negative ions or molecules with non-bonding pairs of electrons that they donate to the central metal atom or ion, forming dative covalent bonds.
Ligands can be classified as:
monodentate, bidentate, up to hexadentate.
How can you deduce the ligand classification
It is possible to deduce the ligand classification from a formula or structure of the ligand or complex.
What is the coordination number
The total number of bonds from the ligands to the central transition metal is known as the coordination number.
What happens to d orbitals in a complex of a transition metal
In a complex of a transition metal, the d orbitals are no longer degenerate.
When does splitting of d orbitals to higher and lower energies occur
Splitting of d orbitals to higher and lower energies occurs when the electrons present in approaching ligands cause the electrons in the orbitals lying along the axes to be repelled.
What are strong field ligands
Ligands that cause a large difference in energy between subsets of d orbitals are strong field ligands.
What are weak field ligands
Weak field ligands cause a small energy difference.
What is the spectrochemical series
Ligands can be placed in an order of their ability to split d orbitals. This is called the spectrochemical series.
When is light absorbed
Light is absorbed when electrons in a lower energy d orbital are promoted to a d orbital of higher energy.
What happens if light of one colour is absorbed
If light of one colour is absorbed, then the complementary colour will be observed.
What else can transition metals act as
Transition metals and their compounds can act as catalysts.
What is the state of heterogenous catalysts
Heterogeneous catalysts are in a different state to the reactants.