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Colour and Catalytic Properties

The document discusses the color of transition metal compounds, which arises from d-d transitions due to the splitting of d-orbitals in the presence of ligands. It explains that transition metal ions with unpaired electrons exhibit color, while those with completely filled d-orbitals are colorless. Additionally, it covers the catalytic properties of transition metals, interstitial compounds, and the formation of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.

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11 views7 pages

Colour and Catalytic Properties

The document discusses the color of transition metal compounds, which arises from d-d transitions due to the splitting of d-orbitals in the presence of ligands. It explains that transition metal ions with unpaired electrons exhibit color, while those with completely filled d-orbitals are colorless. Additionally, it covers the catalytic properties of transition metals, interstitial compounds, and the formation of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.

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shivkanyapasrate
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colour of transition elements.

To know the meaning of d-d transitions understand splitting of d-orbitals in transition elements.
• In a transition metal ion, the five (n- 1) d orbitals are degenerate i.e. They have the same
energy. Whereas in the transition metal compounds, the five (n-1) d orbitals of the transition
metal ion split into two groups .(Crystal field splitting).
• There are three lower energy d-orbitals dxy , dyz , dxz ,
• There are two higher energy level d-orbitals dx²–y² , dz² .
• The difference between the two energy levels is however very small and thus the electrons in
the transition metal ions can easily be promoted from one energy level to another within the
same d-subshell. This transition is called d-d transition.

Q. Most of the transition metal compounds are remarkably coloured. Explain. OR What are the
factors responsible for colour of transition metal ions.

a) the colour of the transition metal compounds or transition metal ions is due to absorption of
light of a particular wavelength in the visible region.
b)Transition metal compounds have partially filled (n-1) d-orbitals which are non-degenerate.
c) presence of incompletely filled d-orbitals in metal ions and also unpaired electrons in
these d-orbitals .
d) The difference between the two energy levels is however very small and thus the
electrons in the transition metal ions can easily be promoted from one energy level to
another within the same d-subshell. This transition is called d-d transition.
e) The energy required for d-d transition falls in the visible region. Hence transition
metal ions and their compounds are coloured.
f) The colour observed is the colour transmitted and is complementary to the colour
absorbed. For example if colour absorbed is red, the transmitted colour is green and
the transition metal compound appears green.
g) Some factors responsible for the colour of the transition metal ion are the nature of
ligands linked to the metal ion in the compound, type of hybridization of the metal ion
and geometry of the complex compound containing the transition metal ion
Why are some transition metal ions colourless?
a)The transition metal ions which do not have unpaired electrons in (n-1) d-orbitals or which
have completely filled d-orbitals ie (n-1)d¹⁰ do not absorb radiations in visible region.
b) Thus d-d transitions not possible and so such metal ions are colourless.
Explain the colour of the following ions . .( write point a), c) and e) from above)

a) Ti³⁺ (Ti Z= 22) .


Ti³⁺ will have 19 electrons. Electronic configuration of Ti³⁺ = {Ar}3d¹.
the ion has one unpaired electron in 3d –orbital . As d-d transition is possible Ti³⁺ is a
coloured ion. Ti³⁺ ion is purple in colour
b) Mn²⁺ is coloured in aqueous solutions. Explain Mn Z= 25
Mn²⁺ will have 23 electrons. Electronic configuration of Mn²⁺ = {Ar}3d⁵. The ion has 5
unpaired electrons and d-d transitions are possible and so compounds of Mn²⁺ in
aqueous solutions are coloured . They show light pink colour.

c) Why salts of Sc³⁺ , Ti⁴⁺ , and V⁵⁺ are colourless ?


Electronic configuration of Sc³⁺ : {Ar}3d⁰ , Ti⁴⁺: {Ar}3d⁰ and V⁵⁺ : {Ar} 3d⁰
The ions Sc³⁺ , Ti⁴⁺ , and V⁵⁺ have completely empty d-orbitals i.e. No unpaired electrons
are present. Thus d-d transitions are not possible and hence their salts are colourless.
Some questions for practice.
Q1. Predict which of the following will be coloured and which ions will be colourless in aqueous
solutions . Give reasons for each.
V³⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺ , Co²⁺ , Ni²⁺ , Cu⁺, Ag⁺. (Atomic number of V=23 , Zn=30 , Fe =26
Cd=48, Co= 27, Ni= 28 , Cu =29, Ag=79 ) .

Q. Explain why copper Sulphate is blue in colour when dissolved in water but turns yellow when
treated with concentrated HCl.
The electronic configuration of Cu : {Ar}3d¹⁰ 4s¹ and Cu²⁺ : {Ar}3d⁹ .

• In water CU²⁺ forms a blue hydrated complex [ Cu(H₂O)₆ ]²⁺ because it has one unpaired
electron in 3d subshell. The complex has octahedral geometry.
• When CUSO₄ solution is treated with Conc HCl solution, it forms a new complex [CuCl₄]²⁻
• [ Cu(H₂O)₆ ]²⁺ + 4Cl⁻ [CuCl₄]²⁻ + 6 H₂O
• The complex [CuCl₄]²⁻ has a tetrahedral geometry. Due to change in geometry and
hybridization of the complex, the colour of the solution changes from blue to yellow
Catalytic properties of d-block elements:
Transition metals and their compounds act as good catalyst.

Following table shows some reactions catalyzed by transition metals/transition metal compounds

Catalyst Reaction Catalyzed


MnO₂ Decomposition of KClO₃ to O₂
Nickel Hydrogenation of oils to fats
V₂O₅ Contact process for manufacture of H₂SO₄
Platinized Asbestos Contact process (2SO₂ + O₂ 2SO₃)
Fe and Mo Manufacture of ammonia by Haber’s process
Co-Th alloy Fischer Tropsch process for synthesis of gasoline
TiCl₃ ( Ziegler Natta catalyst ) Manufacture of high density Polyethene
Fe, Pt, Pd, Cr, Mn, Co etc. Metal catalyst…Can adsorb the reactant molecules and thus
increases their Concentrations on the metal surface.
Fe-Cr CO + H₂O(steam) CO₂ + H₂
What are interstitial compounds? Why are such compounds well known for
transition metals?
1) Interstitial compounds are those which are formed when small atoms like H, C, N, B, etc.
are trapped inside the crystal lattice of metals.
2) They are Non-stoichiometric in nature and have variable compositions.
eg: TiC , TiH₁․₇₃ , Mn₄N, Fe₃H, VH₀․₅₆ , ZrH₁․₉₂ etc.
3) The chemical properties of interstitial compounds are similar to those of the parent
transition metal.
4) Interstitial compounds are well known for transition metals because defects are present
in the crystal lattice of transition metals. Due to this vacant spaces are present in the
lattice of transition metals which can be easily occupied by small atoms like H, C, N and B.
Properties:
1. They are hard and lustrous.
2. Exhibit electrical and thermal conductivity.
3. They have higher melting points than pure metals due to stronger metal-nonmetal bonds.
4. They have lower densities when compared to parent metals.
5. Transition metallic hydrides are chemically inert and extremely hard like diamond.
6. Transition metal hydrides are used as powerful reducing agents.
Alloys formed by d-block elements : two types of alloys
1.Ferrous alloys : alloys made up of more percentage of iron are called ferrous alloys. Atoms
of other elements are randomly distributed among the atoms of Iron.
Example are steels.(Fe, Cr, V, Mo etc.)… Nickel steel, stainless steel ( Fe, C, Cr, Ni )
chromium steel etc. ( all steels have 2% Carbon.)
2. Non ferrous alloys : Alloys made up of transition metals other than iron are called non
ferrous alloys. Atoms of transition metals are mixed with other atoms of non transition
elements.
Examples : Brass ( Cu-Zn)
Bronze ( Cu- Sn)
Cupro-nickel (Cu –Ni)
Nichrome ( Ni- Cr)
Alloys are formed by metals whose atomic radii differ by not more than 15% so that atoms
of one metal can easily take up the positions in crystal lattice of the other.
The transition metals have similar atomic radii and other characteristics, hence they form
alloys very readily.
Most of the alloys are harder, have higher melting points and more resistant to corrosion
than the individual metals.

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