3.2.5 Transition metals

Question 1

What is a transition metal?

Answer 1

An element which can form stable ions which have a partially filled d orbital

Question 2

What causes the properties of transition metals?

Answer 2

An transition element’s partially filled d-orbital

Question 3

What are the characteristics of transition metals?

Answer 3

1. They form compounds with variable/ a range of oxidation states
2. They form coloured ions
3. They form ‘complex ions’
4. They exhibit catalytic activity

Question 4

What is a ligand?

Answer 4

A molecule or ion that forms a dative (co-ordinate) bond with a transition metal by donating a pair of electrons

Question 5

What is a complex ion?

Answer 5

A central metal atom or ion surrounded by ligands

Question 6

What is a co-ordination number?

Answer 6

The number of dative (co-ordinate) bonds to the central metal atom or ion.

Question 7

Give an example of a multidentate ligand

Answer 7

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacete)

This is a hexadentate ligand

Question 8

What are the 4 common shapes of complex ions?

Answer 8

1. Octahedral (6 co-ordinate bonds)
2. Tetrahedral (4 co-ordinate bonds)
3. Square planar (4 co-ordinate bonds)
4. Linear (2 co-ordinate bonds)