Transition and Inner Transition Elements
Tamil Nadu Board · Class 12 · Chemistry
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Position and Electronic Configuration of d-Block Elements
- d-Block elements occupy groups 3 to 12 in the modern periodic table.
- IUPAC definition: A transition metal is an element whose atom has an incomplete d sub-shell OR which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d sub-shell.
- 3d series: Sc (Z=21) to Zn (Z=30) — 4th period, 10 elements.
General Trends in Properties of 3d Series Elements
- METALLIC BEHAVIOUR: All transition elements are metals, good conductors of heat and electricity. Except Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au), all are hard.
- Silver has the highest electrical conductivity at room temperature among all known elements.
- Crystal structures: HCP (hexagonal close packed), FCC (face centred cubic), BCC (body centred cubic) — true metallic characteristics.
Standard Electrode Potentials and Magnetic Properties
- STANDARD ELECTRODE POTENTIAL (E°): Measures oxidizing/reducing power. Large negative E° = powerful reducing agent (loses electrons easily).
- In 3d series, E°(M²⁺/M) becomes less negative from Ti to Cu. Cu has positive E° (+0.34V) — Cu is more stable than Cu²⁺ — meaning Cu is noble.
- Exceptions in E°(M²⁺/M) trend: Mn (−1.18V) and Zn (−0.76V) are more negative than expected — due to extra stability of Mn²⁺ (3d⁵, half-filled) and Zn²⁺ (3d¹⁰, fully-filled).
Catalytic Properties, Alloy Formation, Interstitial Compounds and Complex Formation
- CATALYTIC PROPERTIES: Transition metals act as catalysts due to: (1) Available d orbitals to accept electrons from reactant molecules; (2) Ability to form bonds with reactants using d electrons; (3) V
- Hydrogenation example: Alkene π electrons donate to empty d orbital of catalyst → H₂ σ bond breaks → each H bonds to d electron on catalyst → H atoms bond to alkene → alkane formed.
- V₂O₅ catalyst in Contact Process (manufacture of H₂SO₄): V⁵⁺ in V₂O₅ is reduced to V⁴⁺ in VO₂ during SO₂ oxidation.
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