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15A: Principles of transition metal chemistry

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Total cards: 18•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

Define transition metals.

Back (Answer)

D-block elements that form one or more stable ions with incompletely-filled d-orbitals.

#2
Front (Question)

State why transition metals show variable oxidation number.

Back (Answer)

There is only a gradual increase in successive ionisation energies.

#3
Front (Question)

Describe what is meant by the term ‘ligand’.

Back (Answer)

A species that uses a lone pair of electrons to form a dative covalent bond with a metal ion.

#4
Front (Question)

State the type of bonding involved in the formation of complex ions.

Back (Answer)

Dative (coordinate) bonding

#5
Front (Question)

Describe a complex ion.

Back (Answer)

A central metal ion surrounded by ligands.

#6
Front (Question)

Explain the colours of complex ions.

Back (Answer)

Ligands donate electrons, So repulsion in d-orbitals increases, So d-orbitals split into 2 energy levels. Electrons can absorb certain frequencies of light and promote to higher d-orbitals, So only the remaining light is transmitted.

#7
Front (Question)

Explain why there is a lack of colour in some aqueous ions and other complex ions.

Back (Answer)

Electrons cannot move between d orbitals in ions with an empty or full d sub-shell.

#8
Front (Question)

State 3 changes in transition metal ions that may result in colour changes.

Back (Answer)

Oxidation number Ligand (e.g. type, orientation) Coordination number

#9
Front (Question)

Define the term ‘coordination number’.

Back (Answer)

The number of dative (coordinate) bonds formed with the metal ion.

#10
Front (Question)

State why H2O, OH− and NH3 act as monodentate ligands.

Back (Answer)

They can only use one lone pair to form a dative (coordinate) bond with a metal ion.

#11
Front (Question)

State and explain the shape of complexes with six-fold coordination.

Back (Answer)

Octahedral. Electron pairs in dative (coordinate) bonds will take a position with minimum repulsion.

#12
Front (Question)

State the shape of complexes with relatively large ligands such as Cl-.

Back (Answer)

Tetrahedral.

#13
Front (Question)

Give an example of a square planar complex formed by transition metal ions.

Back (Answer)

Cis-platin

#14
Front (Question)

Explain why cis-platin used in cancer treatment is supplied as a single isomer and not in a mixture with the trans form.

Back (Answer)

Only the cis isomer is effective at preventing cell division.

#15
Front (Question)

Identify the type of ligand of NH2CH2CH2NH2.

Back (Answer)

Bidentate

#16
Front (Question)

Identify the type of ligand of EDTA4-.

Back (Answer)

Multidentate (Hexadentate)

#17
Front (Question)

Describe haemoglobin

Back (Answer)

An iron(II) complex containing a multidentate ligand.

#18
Front (Question)

State the type of reaction that occurs when an oxygen molecule bound to haemoglobin is replaced by a carbon monoxide molecule.

Back (Answer)

Ligand exchange reaction