in chemistry, the term transition metal (or transition element) has two possible meanings:

The IUPAC definition[1] defines a transition metal as "an element whose atom has a
partially filled d sub-shell, or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d sub-shell".

Most scientists describe a "transition metal" as any element in the d-block of the periodic
table, which includes groups 3 to 12 on the periodic table. [2][3] In actual practice, the fblock lanthanide and
considered transition

actinide series are also

"inner transition

The 38 elements in
periodic table are called
all metals, the transition
and malleable, and
heat. The interesting
metals is that their
electrons they use to
elements, are present in
is the reason why they
common oxidation
noteworthy elements in
family. These elements
nickel, and they are the
produce a magnetic
The Transition Metals

Because they
of metals, the

Titanium

Vanadiu
m

Chromiu
m

Mangane
se

points and boiling

right across the

contributes to the

Hafnium

Tantalum

Tungsten

Rhenium

Osmium

metals".

Iridium

Cobalt

Platinum

Nickel

Gold

Copper

Mercury

are:

Zinc

Yttrium

Rutherford
ium

Dubnium

Seaborgiu
m

Zirconiu
m
Niobium

Bohrium

Hassium

Technetiu
m

Meitneriu
m

Rutheniu
m

Rhodium

Palladiu
m

Unununiu
m

Ununbium

ionization energies.
of oxidation

Cadmium

Iron

and malleability of
The transition

five d orbitals
The d electrons are

metals and are called

groups 3 through 12 of the

"transition metals". As with
elements are both ductile
conduct electricity and
thing about transition
valence electrons, or the
combine with other
more than one shell. This
often exhibit several
states. There are three
the transition metals
are iron, cobalt, and
only elements known to
field.

also known as the

elements are very

Scandiu
m

Molybden
um

Silver

Ununniliu
m

possess the properties

transition elements are
transition metals. These
hard, with high melting
points. Moving from left to
periodic table, the
become more filled.
loosely bound, which
high electrical conductivity
the transition elements.
elements have low
They exhibit a wide range
states or positively

charged forms. The positive oxidation states allow transition elements to form many
different ionic and partially ionic compounds. The formation of complexes causes
the d orbitals to split into two energy sublevels, which enables many of the complexes to
absorb specific frequencies of light. Thus, the complexes form characteristic colored
solutions and compounds. Complexation reactions sometimes enhance the relatively low
solubility of some compounds.

High melting points

High boiling points

High electrical conductivity

Malleable

Five d orbitals become more filled, from left to right on periodic table