transition metals Flashcards
what is a transition metal
a transition element is a d-block element that has an incomplete d-sub-shell as a stable ion
why are scandium and zinc not transition metals
scandium and zinc are the first and last members of the period 4 d-block elements and are not classed as transition metals because they do not have any ions partially filled d-orbitals
- scandium forms only Sc3+ ion in which the d-orbitals are empty
- zinc only forms the Zn2+ ion which the d-orbitals are full
transition element electronic configuration rules
- the sub shell energy levels in the third and fourth energy levels overlap
- the 4S sub shell fills before the 3d sub shell
describe when the electronic configuration pattern breaks
- breaks for chromium and copper, in order to reduce the electron repulsion between the outer electrons resulting in increased stability for the copper and chromium atoms
- chromium - the 5 3d orbitals and 4s orbitals all contain one electrons with no orbital being completely filled
- cooper the 5d orbitals are filled but there is only one electron in the 4s orbital
what happens in reactions of transition elements
- in the reactions transition element atoms lose electrons to form positive ions
- they lose their 4s electrons before there 3d electrons
- this is because the 3d and 4s energy levels are close together and once electrons occupy the orbitals the 4s electrons have a higher energy and are lost first
what are the physical properties of transition metal compounds
- transition elements are all metals,
- high densities
- high melting and boiling points
- exist as giant metallic lattices
- contain delocalised electrons so can conduct electricity
what are the chemical properties
- they have different oxidation states
- transition metals form coloured solutions when dissolved in water
- catalyse chemical reactions - due to partially filled d-orbitals
describe the variable oxidation states for transition elements
- the transition elements from titanium to copper all form ions with more than one stable oxidation state
- these metals also all form compounds with metal ions in the +2 oxidation state, this results from loosing two electrons in the 4s orbital
- the highest oxidation state of a transition element is found in a strong oxidising agent,
describe coloured compounds
- when white light passes through a solution containign 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
- for example a solution of copper sulfate appears pale blue becasue the solution absorbs the red/orange region of the electromagnetic spectrum and reflects or transmits the blue
- colour is linked to the partially filled d-orbitals of transition metal ions
why does scandium(III) not have a coloured compound
- scandium does not have d shell and is colourless in aqueous solution, scandium III is formed from scandium by the loss of 2 4s electrons and one 3d electron there is no partially filled d-orbital and there is no colour
describe how transition metals act as catalysts
- 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 an d the metals remain unchanged
- transition metal ions have the ability to change their oxidation states by gaining or losing electrons, they bind to reactants forming intermediates as part of a chemical pathway often with a lower activation energy which speeds up the reaction
describe transition metals as industrial catalysts
- transition metal catalysts are used in industry to improve the profits of an industrial process, they can reduce the time it takes to make a product and reduce the amount of energy needed to make the reaction occur
- toxic
- when substances bind to the active site and stop the transition metal catalysts from working the catalysts can no longer be used, must be disposed of in a way that does not cause harm or pollution
describe haber process
- used to make ammonia from the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen
- catalyst is an iron metal - used to increase the rate of reaction and to lower the temperature at which the reaction takes place
- much of the ammonia produced in the Haber process is used in manufacturing agricultural fertilisers
describe the contact process
- used to convert sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide which is used to manufacture sulfuric acid
- 2SO2 + O2 = 2SO3
- vanadium oxide in which vandium has the +5 oxidation state
- sulphuric acid is an important inorganic chemical with many uses including the production of fertilisers, detergents, adhesives and explosives and also as the electrolyte in car batteries
describe the hydrogenation of alkenes
- hydrogen can be added across the C=C double bond in unsaturated compounds
- nickel metal - it is used to lower the temperature and pressure needed to carry out the reaction
- process is used in the hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to make spreadable margarines
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
- hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly at room temperature and pressure into water and oxygen
- catalyst is added to increase the reaction rate
- 2H2O2 = 2H20 + O2
- manganese (IV) oxide MnO2, this is when manganese has the +4 oxidation state
- often called manganese dioxide
- used in laboratory as a simple way of making oxygen gas
describe hydrogen production
- zinc granules will react with dilute sulfuric acid to form hydrogen and zinc sulfate
- when copper(II) sulfate is added the rate of reaction increases
- transition metal ion acts as a catalyst
- Zn + H2SO4 = ZnSO4 + H2
- reaction used to produce hydrogen gas
what is a complex ion
this is a transition metal ion bonded to one or more ligands coordinate bonds (dative covalent bonds)
what is a ligand
- this is a molecule or ion that can doante a pair of electrons to the transition metal ion to form a coordinate bond
what is a coordination number
- this is the total number of coordinate bonds formed between a central metal ion and its ligands