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Topic 7: Introduction to Transition Metal Complexes

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

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#1
Front (Question)

3 d-block elements that don’t always behave as transition metals and why

Back (Answer)

No partially filled d-subshell Sc: electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^1 4s^2. It exists as Sc^3+: electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^0 4s^0 so behaves as an f-block element Zn, electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^10 4s^2. It exists as Zn^2+: electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^10 4s^0 Au electron configuration is [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^1. It exists as Au^+: electron configuration is [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^0 (not a transition metal) and Au^3+: [Xe] 4f^14 5d^8 6s^0 (is a transition metal)

#2
Front (Question)

What makes a d-block element a tradition element?

Back (Answer)

Form stable ions with partially filled d-subshell

#3
Front (Question)

Which orbital is filled first, 3d or 4s in transition metals + what are the exceptions? Does this differ on transition complexes/compounds

Back (Answer)

4s as lower in energy here Cr: [Ar] 3d^5 4s^1 (prefers to have 1 electron in each d orbital than paired in 4s) and Cu: [Ar] 3d^10 4s^1 (prefers to pair all 3d electrons over 4s) Yes, 3d filled first as lower in energy here

#4
Front (Question)

Calculate d^n

Back (Answer)

number of outer s + d electrons (group number)

#5
Front (Question)

Requirement for colourless transition metal complexes in terms of d-electrons

Back (Answer)

Entirely empty or entirely full d-subshells

#6
Front (Question)

Source of colour in transition metal complexes

Back (Answer)

d-electrons (unpaired) moving between d-orbitals and absorbing energy (light in visible region of spectrum) Ligand –> metal / metal –> ligand charge transfer (movement of electrons)

#7
Front (Question)

diamagnetic compounds contain … and are … from a magnetic field

Back (Answer)

only paired electrons repelled

#8
Front (Question)

paramagnetic compounds contain … and are … from a magnetic field

Back (Answer)

unpaired electron(s) attracted

#9
Front (Question)

Do paramagnetic or diamagnetic effects dominate?

Back (Answer)

paramagnetic

#10
Front (Question)

u eff =

Back (Answer)

root (n (n + 2)) n= dumber of unpaired electrons in d-subshell

#11
Front (Question)

Sc to Mn have … oxidation states + … number of oxidation states

Back (Answer)

increasing increased

#12
Front (Question)

Fe to Zn have … oxidation states + … possible oxidation states

Back (Answer)

lower fewer

#13
Front (Question)

High oxidation state complexes are … agents

Back (Answer)

oxidising

#14
Front (Question)

Low oxidation state complexes are … agents

Back (Answer)

reducing

#15
Front (Question)

Why is it energetically favourable to form ions from transition elements when it requires energy to remove electrons?

Back (Answer)

Solvation energy or lattice energy is more negative than the ionisation energy is positive. Overall release of energy

#16
Front (Question)

Why can’t all ions achieve high oxidation states e.g. Fe^+7

Back (Answer)

Energetically unfavourable Solvation energy or lattice energy is less negative than the ionisation energy is positive

#17
Front (Question)

dative bond

Back (Answer)

ligand donates pair of electrons to the central atom/ion

#18
Front (Question)

Pauling’s electroneutrality principle

Back (Answer)

Change of an atom or ion can only be +/-1 |z|>/= 1 So any charges higher, are very attracted to that change forming a bond, charge is then spread to ligands e.g. A metal with 2+ charge and bonded to 6 water will spread charge to Os and each will have an average charge of 1/3+. They will on average donate 1/3 of electron to 2+metal centre. This will continue to Hs, each having 1/6+ while the central metals and O will have a charge of 0

#19
Front (Question)

Transition metal complexes can be …

Back (Answer)

acidic

#20
Front (Question)

Electronegativity of … is … The range of metals is … to …

Back (Answer)

1.7 50% covalent and 50% ionic character 1.4 2.0

#21
Front (Question)

In higher oxidation states of the metal, bonds become more … because …

Back (Answer)

covalent the ligands have to donate more electron density to the ligand to satisfy Pauling’s

#22
Front (Question)

What metal charge is the most acidic? What coordinates

Back (Answer)

3^+ hydroxides instead of water

#23
Front (Question)

Ligands can be … such as, … such as … and occasionally … such as … They all donate …

Back (Answer)

neutral NH3 CO H2O PR3 SR2 anionic CN^- Me^- NH2^- Cl- I- cationic NO^+ 2 electrons

#24
Front (Question)

cisplatin is

Back (Answer)

[Pt(NH3)2(Cl)2]