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METALS
Dr F. Marais
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
All metals All have variable oxidation states Great industrial value due to increased density afforded by filling penultimate orbitals Size (volume occupied) doesnt increase much Mass increases across d- orbital more than it would normally moving down a period
La(57) to Ac(89) to
COMPLEX FORMATION
Penultimate shell is expanding Many common properties All metallic Elements usually exist in more than one oxidation state
electronic structure
d1s2
d2s2
d3s2
d4s2 d5s1
d5s2
d6s2
d7s2
d8s2
d9s2 d10s1
d10s2
oxidation states
II III
II III IV
II III IV V
I II III IV V VI
II III IV V VI VII
II III IV V VI
II III IV V
II III IV
I II III
II
PROPERTIES
Metals
are dense and have high melting and boiling points. Since the electrons fill an inner orbital (from L to R) the atomic radius does not increase much so only density will increase across each series.
COLOURED IONS The d-orbital comprises 5 degenerate sub-orbitals which can each hold 2 electrons. Transitions of d-electrons is in the visible energy region. The colour of a particular transition metal ion depends upon: * The nature of ligands it is surrounded by * An incomplete d-level
Movement, or rearrangement, of electrons Within the 5 degenerate sets requires energy which is observed as visible colour. In addition, when electrons exist in degenerate sets The energy difference between the sets results in emission of energy. The degree of splitting between the levels depends on the type of ligand surrounding the metal ion. The different energy differences are observed as different wavelengths and for d-electrons, different colours within the visible spectrum.
CATALYTIC ACTIVITY Transition metal ions function as catalysts by changing their oxidation states. Catalysis at a solid surface involves formation of bonds between catalyst atoms and surface molecules.
In the transition elements both sand d- electrons are available This increases bonding possibilities lowers activation energy makes desired reaction more favourable.
PARAMAGNETISM
Most
Some
Electrons spin on their axes within orbitals. A full orbital containing 2 electrons with opposite spin, (Hunds Rule) will have a zero magnetic moment. Increased levels of Para magnetism indicates maximum single occupation of orbitals.