Inorganic chemistryLesson 1 of 3 in the course Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry

Transition Metals: Classification, Reactivity, Extraction, and Compounds

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

Transition metals are identified by the occupancy of their d orbitals, while the inner transition metals are associated with partially filled f orbitals. These classifications help explain the elements’ positions in the periodic table, their ions, and their technological importance.

A transition element is an element that has, or readily forms, a partially filled d subshell. The d-block elements in groups 3–11 are transition elements under this definition. Group 12 elements are often discussed alongside them because they share some chemical properties, although their d subshells are filled and they are not technically transition elements by this criterion.

All flashcards

What is a coordination compound?
A compound in which a central metal atom or ion accepts electron pairs from surrounding molecules or ions.
What does a more positive reduction potential indicate under comparable conditions?
A greater tendency for a species to gain electrons and, generally, stronger oxidizing action.
What are the three broad stages of metal recovery?
Preliminary treatment, smelting, and refining.
Why is crude copper called blister copper?
Escaping gas leaves its surface with a characteristic blistered appearance.
What is a superconductor?
A material that conducts electricity with no electrical resistance below a characteristic transition temperature.

Quiz questions

  1. In acidic solution, which species has the strongest oxidizing action among these examples: dichromate, permanganate, and titanium dioxide?Answer: Permanganate, with a reduction potential of +1.51 V.
  2. Which gaseous species produced in a blast furnace reduces iron oxides to iron?Answer: Carbon monoxide rising through the furnace.
  3. Why is oxygen required when cyanide solution leaches metallic silver?Answer: It accepts electrons as silver is oxidized to silver(I).
  4. How does oxide acid-base behavior generally vary with transition-metal oxidation state?Answer: Low-state oxides tend to be basic; high-state oxides tend to be acidic.
  5. What happens to a superconductor below its characteristic transition temperature?Answer: It conducts electricity with no electrical resistance.

Based on Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Inorganic chemistry

All Inorganic chemistry lessons
Inorganic chemistryLigand Field Theory: σ/π Bonding, Orbital Splitting, and Spin States5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Inorganic chemistryOxygen, Oxides, Hydroxides, and Inorganic Oxyacids5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Inorganic chemistryRepresentative Metals: Natural Sources, Electrolysis, and Chemical Reduction5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Inorganic chemistryCoordination Complexes: Bonding, Naming, Geometry, Isomerism, and Uses5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Inorganic chemistryHalogens: Occurrence, Properties, Compounds, Preparation, and Uses5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Inorganic chemistryNoble-Gas Sources, Physical Properties, Uses, and Xenon Compounds5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →