Transition metals

The transition elements may be defined as the elements whose atoms or simple ions
in their common oxidation states contain partially filled d-subshells. The d-block
elements are called transition elements because they exhibit transitional behavior
between highly reactive ionic compounds forming s-block elements on one side
and mainly the covalent compounds forming p-blocking elements on the other
side.

• General Characteristics of Transitional elements (metals) 1. They

are practicing hard and have strong, high melting, and high boiling points.
2. They conduct heat and electricity as well.
3. They form alloys with one another and with other metallic elements. 4.
They exhibit catalytic properties and are wonderful catalysts for
hydrogenation, oxidation, dehydration, etc.
5. They form paramagnetic compounds because of unpaired electrons. 6.
Most of the elements have a great tendency to form stable complex ions. 7.
They exhibit variable oxidation states.
8. Their ions and compounds are colored.
9. The general electronic configuration of these metals is (n – 1) d1 - 10 ns1 – 2.
# Oxidation states of Transition Metals
The oxidation state of an element is defined as the degree of oxidation (loss
of electrons) of the elements in a chemical compound.
The number assigned to an element in a compound representing the number
of electrons lost or gained by an atom of the element of the compound is
called the oxidation state of that atom in a particular compound.
The transition elements show variable oxidation states because of their
valence electrons in two different sets of orbitals that is (n – 1) and ns
orbitals. The energy difference between these orbitals is very less so both the
energy levels can be used for bond formation. Thus, transition elements have
variable oxidation states.