Class- XII CHEMISTRY

Unit- 8
The d & f block elements

Part I
The transition elements
(d-block)
 Outline

• d-block elements
• position of d- block elements
• Transition series
• Transition elements
• Electronic configuration
• General properties of the transition elements
• Application of d- block elements
Periodic table
 General properties of transition elements
• have metallic properties such as ductility, malleability and metallic lustre
• are electrical conductors
• are hard
• have high densities.
• have high melting and boiling points
• exhibit higher enthalpies of atomization.
• show paramagnetic behaviour.
• show variable oxidation
• form generally coloured compounds
• form complex ions.
• form compounds with profound catalytic activity
• form interstitial compounds.
• form alloys.
 General properties of transition elements
• Metallic character • Reactivity
• M.p & B.p • Catalytic properties
• Atomization enthalphy • Magnetic properties.
• Atomic and ionic size • Formation of complex
• Ionisation enthalpy compounds.
• Oxidation state • Fomation of interstitial
• Standard electrode compounds.
potential. • Oxide formation.
• Coloured ions.
 Standard electrode potential
• Value of electrode potential depends on enthalpy of
atomisation , sum of ionisation enthalpies and hydration
enthalpy.

Reduction potential α ΔaH α I.E α 1/ΔhydH

• Due to positive electrode potential, Cu does not
liberate hydrogen from acids .

• It is interesting to note that the value of E0

for Mn , Ni and Zn are more negative than expected
from the trend.
Standard electrode potential
 Cu does not liberate hydrogen from acids due to
positive electrode potential,

 The Eo (M+2/M) value for copper is positive(+0.34V)

due to i) has high atomization enthalpy
ii) has low hydration enthalpy

 Zn is very good reducing agent due to

i) has more negative Eo Value
ii) easily loss of electrons
Reactivity
 Reactivity

• Though the transition elements are sufficient

electropositive, yet they are not very reactive because
of their
(i) High heat of sublimation
(ii) High ionisation energy
Magnetic Moment
Magnetic Moment
 Formation of Coloured ions
Coloured Ions:
• Most of the transition metal compound are coloured
both in solid state and in aqueous state.

• Generally atoms or ions have unpaired electrons.

• Due to d- d transition produce coloured compound.

Coloured ions
Complimentary colour chart
 Complex Formation
The tendency to form complex ions is due to-
• Smaller sizes of the metal ions
• High ionic charges.
• The availability of d orbitals for accommodating electrons
donated by the ligand atoms.

• Cu2+ (aq) + 4 NH3 (aq)  [Cu(NH3)4]2+ (aq)

(blue) (deep blue)

• AgCl (s) + 2 NH3 (aq) → [Ag (NH3)2]Cl (aq)

(white ppt) (Colourless )
 Catalytic Properties
Their catalytic properties are due to-
 Presence of unpaired electron in their incomplete d-subshell.
 Variable oxidation state of transition metal and ability to form
complexes
 provide large surface area for adsorption of reactant molecules

Examples
 Finely divided Iron (in Haber’s process)
 Finely divided nickel( in catalytic hydrogenation )
 Vanadium (V) oxide V2O5 ( in Contact process)
 platinum Pt in (Ostwald’s process)
 Interstitial Compound
 Interstitial compounds are those which are formed when small atoms
like H, C or N are trapped inside the crystal lattices of metals.
 They are usually non stoichiometric
 They are neither typically ionic nor covalent, for example, TiC,
Mn4N, Fe3H, VH 0 .56 and TiH1.7, etc.
 Due to empty space in their lattices, small atoms can be easily
accommodated

.
 Alloy formation

 Most of transition metals form alloys because of

their
 similar radii due to which transition metals can
mutually substitute their position in their
crystal lattice.
Ferrous alloys: Stainless steel
Copper alloys : Brass(copper-zinc) bronze(copper-tin)
 Formation of Oxides

 Transition metals form oxides of general

composition MO,M2O3,MO2 and MO6, etc.
 Lower oxidation state: Basic
Higher oxidation state: Amphoteric or Acidic

MnO Mn2O3,Mn3O4,MnO2 Mn2O7

Basic Amphoteric Acidic
 Home Assignment
Account for the following:
• Transition elements exhibit higher enthalpies
of atomization.
• Transition metals show paramagnetic behaviour.
• Transition metal ions form complex ions.
• Transition metals form interstitial compounds.
• Most of the transition metals form alloys.
• Transition element form generally coloured compounds
• Transition elements show variable oxidation state.