Unit 3.4 - Chemistry of the d-block transition metals Flashcards
What are all of the elements from scandium to zinc? What does this mean?
d-block elements
3d orbitals are being filled
Transition metal
An element that possess a partially filled d sub-shell as an atom or in its stable ions
Why are scandium and zinc not transition metals even though they’re d-block elements?
Scandium: 3d orbital is empty
Zinc: 3d orbital is full
So neither are partially full, which is the definition of a transition metal
Which d-block elements are NOT transition metals?
Scandium and zinc
Which level fills first, the 4s or 3d level?
4s level fills first
Which orbital has the lowest amount of energy as the 3d level fills?
The energy of the 3d electrons is below that of the 4s electrons
Which level are electrons removed from first and then afterwards when electrons are removed from scandium and zinc?
They’re removed first from the 4s level, and only then from the 3d level
Where do we remove electrons from first in the transition elements and then afterwards when forming ions?
We remove the 4s electrons first, then the 3d electrons in the reverse order to that in which we filled them
Cr3+ electronic configuration
1s^22s^22p^6s3^23p^63d^3
General properties of the transition element
- Metals with closely packed structures
- Atomic radius decreases gradually = first ionisation energy increases gradually
- Strong metallic bonds = high melting points
- High densities + high tensile strengths
- Form alloys with one another readily
How come transition elements are dense?
Closely packed structures
Why does the first ionisation energy of the transition elements increase gradually?
As the atomic radius decreases gradually
Why do the transition elements form strong metallic bonds?
As the 3d and 4s electrons are available for metallic bonding
Why do the transition elements have high melting points?
Strong metallic bonds
Why do the transition elements have high densities and high tensile strengths?
Have relatively small atomic radii and closely packed structures
Why do the transition elements form alloys with one another readily?
As they have similar atomic radii
Why does having similar atomic radii in transition elements mean that they can form alloys with one another readily?
Because there will be little disruption to the metal lattice when one atom is substitute for another
Example of an alloy
Stainless steel
What makes up stainless steel?
Fe/Cr
What’s good about stainless steel and why is this the case?
Rusts slowly due to the chromium element
Characteristic properties of the transition elements
- Variable oxidation states
- Catalysis
- Complex ion formation
How many oxidation states can transition elements occur in in their compounds?
Two or more
Most common oxidation states of transition elements
+2, +3
Why do the transition elements have varying oxidation states?
The difference in energy between the 3d and the 4s electrons is relatively small (i.e - the ionisation energies of the 3d and 4s electrons are similar)