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The d- and f-Block Elements
The d- and f-Block Elements
The d- and f-Block Elements

Why are d-block elements known as transition

elements?
The d- and f-Block Elements
● Important points
1. They are known as transition elements
2. A transition element is defined as the one which has incompletely
filled d orbitals in its ground state or in anyone of its oxidation
states
3. Zinc cadmium and mercury of group 12 have full d10 configuration in
their ground state as well as in their common oxidation states and
hence, are not regarded as transition metals
The d- and f-Block Elements
● Important points
4. In general the electronic configuration of these elements is
(n-1)d1-10ns1-2
4. They have less energy gap between ns and (n-1)d orbitals
5. Therefore more number of electrons may participate in bonding
6. Atomic radii first decreases then become constant and than
increases across the series
The d- and f-Block Elements
The d- and f-Block Elements
● Important points
8. Ionisation enthalpies
In a particular transition series, ionization enthalpy increases
gradually as we move from left to right

8. Metallic character
Due to the presence of strong metallic bonds, the transition metals
are hard, possess high densities and high enthalpies of atomisation

8. MELTING AND BOILING POINTS

Melting and boiling points of transition elements are generally very high.
This is due to strong metallic bond and the presence of half-filled d-
orbitals in them. .
General Properties of the Transition elements (d-Block)

OXIDATION STATES

● The variable oxidation states of transition elements are due to the

participation of ns and (n -1) d-electrons in bonding. The lower
oxidation state is generally, exhibited when ns-electrons
participate in bonding and higher oxidation states are shown when
ns as well as (n - 1) d-electrons take part in bonding.
● It may be noted the oxidation states of transition elements differ
from each other by unity whereas oxidation states of non-transition
elements generally differ by two.
General Properties of the Transition elements (d-Block)

● Noteworthy features of oxidation states of the transition elements

are :
1. In each group, the highest oxidation state increases with increase in
atomic number, reaches a maximum in the middle and then starts
decreasing.
2. Elements which exhibit the maximum number of oxidation states
occur either in or near the middle of the series.
3. The elements in the beginning of the series exhibit fewer oxidation
states because they have small number of electrons which they can
lose or contribute for sharing.
The d- and f-Block Elements

Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

+2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2

+2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2

+4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4
+3
+5 +5 +5

+6 +6 +6

+7
General Properties of the Transition elements (d-Block)

4. For the elements of first transition series +2 oxidation state is the

most common oxidation state.

5. The highest oxidation state shown by any transition metal is + 8.

6. Some transition metals also show oxidation state of zero in their

compounds. [Ni(CO)4] [Fe(CO)5] .
COMPLEX FORMATION
1. Small size and high charge density of the ions of transition metals.
2. Presence of vacant orbitals of appropriate energy which can accept
lone pairs of electrons donated by other groups (ligands).

❖ [Cu(NH3)4]2+ [Ni(CN)4]2–
❖ [Ag(NH3)2]+ [Ni(CO)4]
❖ [Cr(NH3)6]3+ [Fe(CN)6]4–
COLOURED COMPLEXES

● The compounds of transition elements are usually coloured both in

solid state and in aqueous solution
● The d-orbitals in the transition elements do not have same energy
in their complexes. Under the influence of the ligands attached, the
d-orbitals split into two sets of orbitals having slightly different
energies. In the transition elements which have partly filled d-
orbitals, the transition of electron can take place from one of the
lower d-orbitals to some higher d-orbital within the same subshell.
COLOURED COMPLEXES

● The energy required for this transition falls in the visible region. ,So
when white light falls on these complexes they absorb a particular
colour from the radiation for the promotion of electron and the
remaining colours are emitted. The colour of the complex is due to
this emitted radiation. For example, cupric salts are bluish green
due to absorption of red light. Ti3+ salts appear purple due to
absorption of yellow light.
COLOURED COMPLEXES
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

● The transition metal ions generally contain one or more unpaired

electrons in them and hence their complexes are generally
paramagnetic.
● Magnetic moment, µ =
Explain why
(i) Sc3+ salts are diamagnetic.
(ii) Ti3+ salts are coloured whereas Ti4+ salts are white.
Why is the highest oxidation state of a metal exhibited in its oxide or
fluoride only.
Calculate the 'spin only’ magnetic moment of co2+ (aq) ion (Z = 27).
Name a transition element which does not exhibit variable oxidation
states.
Which element of the first transition series exhibits the largest
number of oxidation states ?
Calculate the magnetic moment of a divalent ion in aqueous solution
if its atomic number is 25.
The correct order of magnetic moments (spin only values in B.M.)
among is

A. [MnCl4]2– > [CoCl4]2– > [Fe(CN)6]4–

B. [Fe(CN6]4– > [CoCl4]2– [MnCl4]2–
C. [Fe(CN)6]4– > [MnCl4]2– [CoCl4]2–
D. [MnCl4]2– > [Fe(CN)6]4– > [CoCl4]2–
Which of the following transition metal ions is colourless?

A. V2+
B. Cr3+
C. Zn2+
D. Ti3+
Amongst TiF62–, CoF63–, Cu2Cl2 and NiCl42–, which are the colourless
species?
(atomic number of Ti = 22, Co = 27, Cu = 29, Ni = 28)

A. CoF63– and NiCl42–

B. TiF62– and Cu2Cl2
C. Cu2Cl2 and NiCl42–
D. TiF62– and CoF63–
The magnetic moment of a divalent ion in aqueous solution with
atomic number 25 is

A. 5.9 B.M
B. 2.9 B.M
C. 6.9 B.M
D. 9.9 B.M
The correct order of number of unpaired electrons is

A. Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Cr3+ > Fe3+

B. Ni3+ > Cu3+ > Fe3+ > Cr3+
C. Fe3+ > Cr3+ > Ni2+ > Cu2+
D. Cr3+ > Fe3+ » Ni2+ > Cu2+
Which of the following d-block element has half-filled penultimate as
well as valence subshell?

A. Cu
B. Au
C. Ag
D. Cr
CATALYTIC PROPERTIES

● The catalytic activity of transition metals is attributed to the

following reasons :
1. Because of their variable valencies transition metals .
2. In some cases transition metals provide a suitable surface of the
reaction to take place. The reactants are adsorbed on the surface of
the catalyst where reaction occurs.
INTERSTITIAL COMPOUNDS

● The transition elements are capable of entrapping smaller atoms of

other elements such as H, C and N in the interstitial sites in their
crystal lattices.
INTERSTITIAL COMPOUNDS

● The main physical and chemical characteristics of interstitial

compounds are given below :
1. The melting points of these compounds are higher than those of the
pure metals.
2. These compounds are very hard. Some borides are almost as hard as
diamond.
3. They retain metallic conductivity
4. They are chemically much less reactive than Pure metals. They are
almost inert
FORMATION OF ALLOYS

1. The d-block elements have almost similar atomic sizes. Therefore,

these elements can mutually substitute their positions in their
crystal lattices. In this way, many alloys are possible between
transition metals.
2. Alloys of transition metals with non transition metals as brass
(copper-zinc) and bronze (copper-tin), are also of considerable
industrial importance.
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