5. Transition Metals

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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Front (Question)

What is a transition metal?

Back (Answer)

A metal in the central block of the periodic table that has an incomplete d sub-shell in at least one of its stable ions

Front (Question)

Why do transition elements form 2+ ions, and why do they have similar properties?

Back (Answer)

When ions are formed it is the 4s electrons that are lost first

Front (Question)

Why is Cu a transition metal?

Back (Answer)

For Cu 2+ [[Ar] 3d9] it has an incomplete d sub-shell

Front (Question)

Physical properties of transition metals?

Back (Answer)

• conduct heat and electricity • malleable and ductile • hard and strong • dense • high melting point

Front (Question)

Chemical properties of transition metals?

Back (Answer)

• can form complexes • form coloured compounds • have variable oxidation states • can act as catalysts

Front (Question)

What is a ligand?

Back (Answer)

A molecule, atom or ion that has one or more lone pairs that it can donate to a central metal ion

Front (Question)

What are bidentate ligands?

Back (Answer)

Ligands that can donate 2 lone pairs of electrons

Front (Question)

What are monodentate ligands?

Back (Answer)

Ligands that can donate 1 lone pair of electrons

Front (Question)

Examples of monodentate ligands?

Back (Answer)

H2O, NH2, CN- and Cl-

#10

Front (Question)

Examples of bidentate ligands?

Back (Answer)

• NH2CH2CH2NH2 * C₂O₄²⁻

#11

Front (Question)

What are multidentate ligands?

Back (Answer)

Ligands that can donate more than two pairs of lone electrons

#12

Front (Question)

Example of a multidentate ligand?

Back (Answer)

EDTA⁴⁻

#13

Front (Question)

What is a complex?

Back (Answer)

A cenral metal ion surrounded by ligands

#14

Front (Question)

What do ligands do in order for a complex to be formed?

Back (Answer)

Donate at least one pair of electrons to form a co-ordinate bond with the central ion

#15

Front (Question)

What happens to transition metals in an aqueous solution?

Back (Answer)

They are always hydrated i.e. they form co-ordinate bonds with water molecules - water molecules can act as ligands

#16

Front (Question)

What is formed when a transition metal is in an aqueous solution?

Back (Answer)

A hexaaqua ion

#17

Front (Question)

What are hydrated complex ions also called?

Back (Answer)

Hexaaqua ions

#18

Front (Question)

What is the coordination number?

Back (Answer)

The number of coordinate bonds formed by ligands around the central metal ion

#19

Front (Question)

What must the coordination number not be confused with?

Back (Answer)

The number of ligands bonded

#20

Front (Question)

What does the coordination number determine?

Back (Answer)

The shape of the complex

#21

Front (Question)

What shape is formed if a complex has two coordinate bonds?

Back (Answer)

Linear

#22

Front (Question)

What shape is formed if a complex has four coordinate bonds?

Back (Answer)

Tetrahedral or square planar

#23

Front (Question)

What shape is formed if a complex has six coordinate bonds?

Back (Answer)

Octahedral

#24

Front (Question)

What shape do complexes with Cl- ligands make?

Back (Answer)

Tetrahedral