d and f - block Elements Introduction

The elements that lie in between S-block and P-block are the d-block elements. These elements are
called transition elements as they show transitional properties between s and p-block elements. These
elements contain partially filled d-orbitals and hence they are called as d-block elements. The general
electronic configuration of d-block elements is (n-1)d1-10ns1-2.

Transition Metals

The elements belonging to d-block are metals. The d-block elements are classified into four transition
series. These 4 series corresponds the filling of 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d orbitals.

First transition series

This is also called as 3d series which corresponds the filling of 3d orbital. It starts from scandium
whose atomic number is 21 and includes 10 elements till zinc whose atomic number is 30.

First transition series (or) 3d series

 Element  Atomic number  Symbol  Electronic configuration

 Scandium  21  Sc  [Ar] 3d1 4s2
 Titanium  22  Ti  [Ar] 3d2 4s2
 Vanadium  23  V  [Ar] 3d3 4s2
 Chromium  24  Cr  [Ar] 3d5 4s1
 Manganese  25  Mn  [Ar] 3d5 4s2
 Iron  26  Fe  [Ar] 3d6 4s2
 Cobalt  27  Co  [Ar] 3d7 4s2
 Nickel  28  Ni  [Ar] 3d8 4s2
 Copper  29  Cu  [Ar] 3d10 4s1
 Zinc  30  Zn  [Ar] 3d10 4s2

Second transition series

This is also called as 4d series which corresponds the filling of 4d orbital. It starts from yttrium whose
atomic number is 39 and includes 10 elements till cadmium whose atomic number is 48.

Second transition series (or) 3d series

Element Atomic Number Symbol Electronic configuration

Ytterium 39 Y [Kr] 4d1 5s2
Zirconium 40 Zr [Kr] 4d2 5s2
 Element Atomic Number Symbol Electronic configuration
Niobium 41 Nb  [Kr] 4d4 5s1
Molybdenum 42 Mo  [Kr] 4d5 5s1
Technetium 43 Tc  [Kr] 4d5 5s2
Ruthenium 44 Ru  [Kr] 4d7 5s1
Rhodium 45 Rh  [Kr] 4d8 5s1
Palladium 46 Pd  [Kr] 4d10 5s0
Silver 46 Ag  [Kr] 4d10 5s1
Cadmium 48 Cd  [Kr] 4d10 5s2

Third transition series

This is also called as 5d series which corresponds the filling of 5d orbital. The first element of this
series is lanthanum whose atomic number is 57 and includes 9 elements from hafnium whose atomic
number is 72 to mercury whose atomic number is 80.

Third transition series (or) 3d series

Element Atomic number Symbol Electronic configuration

Lanthanum 57 La [Xe] 5d1 6s2
Hafnium 72 Hf [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2
Tantalum 73 Ta  [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Tungstun 74 W  [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2
Rhenium 75 Re  [Xe] 4f14 5d5 6s2
Osmium 76 Os  [Xe] 4f14 5d6 6s2
Iridium 77 Ir  [Xe] 4f14 5d7 6s2
Platinum 78 Pt  [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1
Gold 79 Au  [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1
Mercury 80 Hg  [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2

Fourth transition series

This is also called as 6d series which corresponds the filling of 6d orbitals. This series contains only 3
elements. They are: actinium with atomic number 89 followed by two elements with atomic numbers
104 and 105. This is an incomplete series.
Element Atomic No Symbol Electronic configuration
Actinium 89 Ac [Rn] 6d1 7s2

Electronic Configuration

The general electronic configuration of d-block elements is (n-1) d1-10ns1-2. All the d-block elements
except zinc, cadmium and mercury have partially filled d-orbitals. But, zinc, cadmium and mercury
have completely filled d-orbitals and they exhibit common oxidation state. So, they do not come under
transition elements but are studied along with d-block elements. In all the other transition elements the
last electron enters the (n-1)d orbital which is called the penultimate shell. The electronic
configurations of 4 transition series are given below
Characteristics of Transition Metals

All the transition metals except Zn, cd and Hg exhibit several physical and chemical properties. Some
of their properties are discussed below:

Variable oxidation states

By the study of electronic configuration of transition metals it is understood that variable oxidation
state can be formed as there are both ns and (n-1)d electrons in bonding. The participation of ns
electrons in bonding leads to +2 oxidation state which is a lower oxidation state. The participation of
(n-1)d electrons in bonding leads to higher oxidation states like +3, +4, +5, +6 etc. These oxidation
states depend upon the nature of combination of transition metals with other elements. The oxidation
state increases with atomic number. This increase is related to groups. The most common oxidation
state of the elements of first transition series is +2. Ionic bonds are formed in lower oxidation state
transition elements whereas covalent bonds are formed in higher oxidation states.

Magnetic properties

By the study if electronic configuration of transition metals it is understood that they generally contain
one or more unpaired electrons in the (n-1)d orbital. Due to these unpaired electrons they behave as
paramagnetic substances. These substances are attracted by the magnetic field. The transition elements
that contain paired electrons behave as diamagnetic substances. These substances are repelled by the
magnetic field. The paramagnetic character increases as the number of unpaired electrons increases.
Formation of colored compounds

Most of the transition elements form colored compounds both in solid state as well as in aqueous
solution. It is already studied that the transition metals have incomplete d-orbital. The electrons are to
be promoted from a lower energy level to a higher energy level. Some amount of energy is required for
this process and the radiations of light are observed in the visible region. The compounds absorb a
particular color from the radiation and the remaining ones are emitted.

For e.g., Cu2+ are bluish green in color due to absorption of red light wavelength.

As Zn has completely filled d-orbitals it cannot absorb radiation and hence Zn2+ salts are white.

Formation of complexes
Transition metals form many complex ions. They are the electrically charged complexes with a metal
ion in the center which is surrounded and linked by a number of neutral molecules or negative ions.
These neutral molecules or negative ions are called as ligands. As the transitions metals are small in
size they form large number of complexes.

Electrode potential and low reactivity

The electrode potential is a measure of the total enthalpy change (DHT) when a solid metal, M is
brought into aqueous medium in the form of M+ (aq).

The total enthalpy change depends on sublimation energy, ionization energy and hydration energy of
the metal.

The stability of the oxidation state of metal depends on the electrode potential. When electrode
potential is less the stability is more.
General Trends in the First Row Transition Elements

Most of the transition elements of the first row form metallic bonds due to the presence of incomplete
outermost energy level. So, all the transition elements exhibit metallic characters. The strength of the
metallic bond depends upon the number of unpaired d-electrons. As the number increases the strength
also increases. Due to the absence of unpaired electrons 'Zn' is not a hard metal.

Ionization energy

The ionization energies of first row elements gradually increases with increase in atomic number. The
ionization energy of Zn is very high than all the other metals which is due to its fully filled d-orbital.
The third ionization energy of Mn is very high than the others.

Electrode potential

The electrode potential is a measure of the total enthalpy change (DHT) when a solid metal, M is
brought into aqueous medium in the form of M+(aq).

The total enthalpy change depends on sublimation energy, ionization energy and hydration energy of
the metal.

Oxidation State

The first row transition elements show variable oxidation states. Zn is an exception among them. As it
has fully filled d-orbital, it exhibits only +2 oxidation state. The oxidation states of first row transition
metals are shown below.