Chapter 13:

Transition
Elements
By
Kah Yee
Jing Yi

13.1 Physical Properties of 1st Row

Transition Elements
Atomic Radius
Densities
Ionic Radius
Melting and Boiling points
Ionisation Energies
Electrical Conductivity

General Properties of TE

High melting points metal

Possess variable oxidation states
Form coloured ions/compounds
Form complex ion
Act as catalyst
Often paramagnetic

TE is an element that forms at least a

stable simple ion with incomplete or
partially filled d-orbitals.
Sc and Zn TE
forms only 1 ion
Sc: empty 3d subshell
Zn: full 3d subshell
When TE form ions, 4s electrons are lost
1st before 3d. (reason why: prior
knowledge)

Atomic Radii
Metallic radii of transition metals < s-block metals
within the same period
Across the period, smooth, steady in AR cause
more valance electrons.
Slight variation across period due to slight of
effective nuclear charge.
The proton no. , the electron is added to inner 3d
subshell.
The effect of nuclear charge is cancelled by the
in shielding effect >> only slight increase in Z eff.

Densities
TE > s-blocks elements, due to the small
AR of atoms, close-packed structures.
Gradual from Sc to Cu >> Small in
metallic radii & in atomic mass

Ionic Radii
Ionic raius for +ve ions < atomic radius due to
the loss of outer electrons
Ions of a given charge the radius slightly
with in atomic no.
Ionic radius with oxidation state.

Melting and Boiling points

Mp (>1000c), Bp (>2000c) of transition
metals are high compared to main group
elements due to strong metallic bond.
Small energy differences btw electrons in 3d &
4s results in strong metallic bond.
Mp & Bp of Mn & Zn are lower due to the
extra stability of half-filled and completely
filled d-orbitals. >> only 4s contribute in
metallic bonding.

Ionisation Energies
The IE of Period 4 main group elements rise steeply
across the period as electrons become more difficult to
remove from nuclear charge.
In d-block elements, 1st & 2nd IE increase relatively
little across the period.
Build-up of electrons in d subshell shields s electrons
from nucleus. >> cancels Zeff.
in 3rd & 4th IE across period is more rapid as d
electrons are removed and the Zeff more
significantly.

 2nd IE of Cr & Cu are higher than expected >> the

2nd electron is removed from inner 3d orbital
(more stable)
3rd IE of Mn & 4th IE of Fe is higher than expected
for the same reason.
3rd IE of Fe is lower than expected as the removal
of 3rd electron results in half-filled 3d subshell.
Generally, successive IE of a d-block elements
gradually due to 4s & 3d electrons being similar
energies until all outer s and d electrons are
removed.

Electrical Conductivity
Generally have high conductivities
Many electrons involved in metallic bond.