Transition metals

1. These are found in the long block in the

middle of the periodic table – shown here
in yellow
1. They are also known as the d-block
elements – electrons are being added to
the d-orbitals through successive transition
elements
2. Transition metals have particular
properties:
1. They are hard and dense
2. They have high melting points (EXCEPT Hg)
3. They are not very reactive
4. They form coloured compounds (compare
with group 1 and 2 compounds)
5. They are good conductors of heat and
electricity
Transition metals have variable valency
(valency = the ratio with which the atoms of one
element combine with the atoms of another –
more simply, ‘combining power’)
examples: iron(II) chloride, FeCl2 and iron(III)
chloride, FeCl3
manganese has compounds containing
manganese(VII), KMnO4; manganese(IV),
MnO2; manganese(III), Mn(CH3COO)3 and
manganese(II) (MnCO3) oxidation states:

If the number in brackets is I, II or III, this is

equivalent to the number of electrons that the
transition metal has lost – a positive ion has
been formed – e.g. copper(II) ~ Cu2+
1. Many transition metals are used as alloys
1. Cupro-nickel; Cu and Ni; for coinage
2. Stainless steels; Fe, Ni, Cr; kitchen sinks,
cutlery
3. Brass; Cu, Zn; musical instruments
4. Bronze; Cu, Sn; statues, bells, ornaments
5. Solder; Pb, Sn; joining wires and pipes (note that
neither lead nor tin are transition metals)
Note that alloying metals is carried out in order to
improve or change the properties of the pure
metal.
2. Many transition metals and their compounds
are used as catalysts.