TRANSITION METAL:

What are the transition metals?

The transition metals are the block of elements in the middle of the Periodic Table.

Some of the better known transition metals are:

Chemical Name Chemical Symbol

chromium Cr
iron Fe
nickel Ni
copper Cu
zinc Zn
silver Ag
platinum Pt
gold Au
mercury Hg

Physical Properties of Transition Metals

 They are metals.

 They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
 They can be hammered or bent into shape easily.
 They have higher melting points than alkali metals except for mercury which is a liquid at room
temperature
 They are hard and tough.
 They have high densities.

Chemical Properties of Transition Metals

 They are less reactive than the Group 1 alkali metals. This means that they do not corrode easily in air or
water. (Iron is an exception because it rusts easily)
 Most transition metals form ions with different charges. They have variable valency.

Copper Cu+, Cu2+

Iron Fe2+, Fe3+
  Due to their variable valency, they can form more than one compound with another element. The Roman
number in brackets indicates the number of electrons the metal atom has lost. The number is called
the oxidation state.

copper(I) oxide CuO

copper(II) oxide Cu2O
iron(II) oxide FeO
iron(III) oxide Fe2O3

 They form colored compounds.

copper(I) oxide red

copper(II) oxide black
iron(II) oxide reddish brown
iron(III) oxide brown

Uses of the transition metals

 Iron is used in structures such as buildings, cars and bridges.

 They can be used in making alloy. For example, chromium and nickel are mixed with iron to make
stainless steel.
 They are used as conductors of heat and electricity. For example, copper is used for electricity cables and
steel is used for radiators.
 They can be used as catalyst to speed up reactions.

1)  Some of the transition metals have widespread usage,

particularly iron (for construction)
and copper (electrical wiring and water pipes).
For more detail, see the individual elements.

2)  Transition metals often form important alloys.

For example, iron in steel, zinc and copper in brass.

3)  Transition metals often make good catalysts for particular reactions.

For example,
Iron in the Haber Process.
Manganese(IV) oxide in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Vanadium(V) oxide in the contact process (making sulfuric acid).
Platinum in fuel cells and the manufacture of nitric acid.

Nickel is used in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils

Characteristics of Transition Metals

By an eHow Contributor
 Transition metals are located in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table. Like all metals, transition
metals are malleable, tensile, and conductors of electricity and heat. This group of metals is
distinguished from other groups of metals in terms of their notable chemical structure. Unlike regular
and representative metals, transition metals have their valence electrons in more than one shell. The
valence electrons are used to combine with other elements. Transition metals often show several
common oxidation states as a result of the availability of valence electrons in more than one shell.
Three important members (iron, cobalt and nickel) in the transition metals family are the only known
elements to create magnetic fields.
High Melting and Boiling Point
1. The strong bonding between the atoms in transition metals accounts for their very high
melting point and boiling point. The strong intermolecular force is only affected at high temperatures,
so the high melting points and boiling points. 

Besides these two metals, lanthanum and silver, all other transition metals melt not less than 1000
degree C. This is a sharp contrast especially to the s-block elements in the periodic table which have
low melting points (i.e., lithium 181 degree C and cesium 29 degree C).
High Density
2. Another consequence of the strong attractive force between the atoms is tightly held atomic
molecules: the inner orbitals are filled and the increased nuclear charge draws the electrons in to
give a high density. Except scandium, yttrium and titanium, other transition elements have density
above 5.0g/c.c.
Color
3. The atom of transition metals tends to absorb light of particular wavelength. This promotes
an electron from one energy level to another. The promotion of electrons from one level to another
occurs by absorption of small amount of energy corresponding to the energy of the light that is
emitted. Unlike a normal metal atom, ligands are available in transition metals, and the third energy
level divides into two separate energy levels with three orbitals at a slightly lower level, and two
orbitals at a higher level. The energy of visible light equals to the energy absorbed by the electron
when transferred between these two energy levels. Therefore, the solutions of transition metals are
colored.
Catalytic Properties
4. Many transition metals and their compounds are extensively used as catalysts in industry,
especially in automobile sector as an anti-pollution catalytic converter in exhaust gases.
Ability to form complexes
5. Transition metal ions can form numerous coordinate compounds, when in solution either with
water, or any other molecules/ions. They have small, highly charged metal ions with vacant d- or f-
orbitals to receive lone pairs of electrons from other groups of metals.