How to Study the Chemical Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are the elements on the periodic table that exist between groups 3 through 12. They are metallic elements that have special properties due to the incomplete filling of their outer electron shell. They are generally characterized by their ability to readily form complexes, their use as a catalyst, and the vibrant colors that they form.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Studying the Properties of Transition Metals

1
Locate the transition metals on the periodic table. The transition metals are a set of 38 elements located in groups 3 through 12 (sometimes written as Group IIA and Group IIB) on the periodic table. These metals are further subdivided into 3 groups based on the row of the periodic table they are located.^{[1]XResearch source}
- The most commonly studied transition metals are the first row transition metals. They begin on the left side with scandium and end on the right side with zinc.
2
Define transition metals. A transition metal is any metal that forms 1 or more stable ions with an incompletely filled d orbital.^{[2]XResearch source} The d orbital is part of the third energy level of the electron distribution in an atom. There are 5 d orbitals with each one capable of holding 2 electrons for a total of 10 electrons in the d orbital.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Based on this definition, the zinc group (zinc, cadmium, and mercury) technically doesn’t count as transition metals because they possess a filled d-level. Ask your teacher or professor more about this group of elements because they are often still considered transition metals.
- In addition, scandium is sometimes excluded because it has no d-electrons.
3
Memorize that transition metals have variable oxidation states. The oxidation state of an atom shows how many electrons have been removed (positive oxidation state) or added (negative oxidation state) to the atom.^{[4]XResearch source} Unlike other elements, such as those in the s-block, which can only form oxidation states of +1 or +2, transition metals can form multiple oxidation states. This is because these elements have low ionization potentials which tends to give them a number of unique chemical properties:^{[5]XResearch source}
- They tend to form alloy complexes with themselves and other elements.
- They tend to be similarly sized atoms because the electrons are in similar environments.
- They form colored compounds.
- They are useful as catalysts for reactions.
- They are less reactive than the alkali metals.
4
Know that transition metals can be paramagnetic or diamagnetic. A paramagnetic atom is attracted by a magnetic field while a diamagnetic atom is not attracted by the magnetic field. Transition elements that have one or more unpaired electrons in the d-suborbital will be paramagnetic. Elements that have paired d-suborbital electrons are diamagnetic.
- Remember, when electrons are filling orbitals they will fill one electron per suborbital before they go back and fill in the rest of the suborbital with the second electron.
5
Learn the alloys that transition metals can form. An alloy is a compound that forms when a metal and at least 1 other metallic or non-metallic element mix together. Some common transition metal alloys are steel (iron and carbon), stainless steel (chromium plus iron and sometimes nickel), brass (copper and zinc), and nitinol (titanium and nickel).^{[6]XResearch source}
- There are many more compounds that transition metals form, but the ones listed above are some of the most common.
6
Identify transition metal compounds based on their color. Because transition metals generally have color, you can identify many of the compounds they form based on that color. Transition metals will form compounds that have various colors including blue, green, red, orange, yellow, pink, brown, and purple. The following is a list of some compounds and their associated colors:^{[7]XResearch source}
- Purple: Titanium(III) chloride, manganese compounds (potassium manganate(VII))
- Blue: copper compounds (copper sulphate)
- Green: nickel chloride, iron(II) compounds
- Orange-brown: Iron(III) compounds (iron(III) chloride)
- Pink: cobalt sulphate
- Yellow: chromate (CrO₄^2-)
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Study Tips and Tricks

1
Determine what you need to study. The exact information that you need to know and understand will be dependent upon your individual course. You may need to simply memorize which elements are the transition metals. Alternatively, you may need to be able to list their properties and be able to apply this knowledge in a lab setting.
- Ask your professor for guidance on what you need to know specifically for the course.
- If you’re curious, learn it all!
2
Make flashcards for the chemical properties. The easiest way to study new information is to put it into small chunks on flashcards. You can frequently flip through these flashcards and study the same information until you have it memorized. Flashcards foster active recall which helps you to retain information better.
- Write the chemical properties of the various transition metals on individual flashcards to study them and memorize them long-term.
3
Use online resources and tutorials. Chemistry has many levels of complexity and you may need to know this material in more depth than was covered here. Go to your library or search online for tutorials that talk about the more complex concepts involved with these elements. Some topics you can search for more information on include:^{[8]XResearch source}
- Electron geometry
- Ligand bonding
- Pi bonds
- Coordinate complexes
4
Form a study group. Studying with your peers can help you understand the material better and look at problems from different perspectives. Contact several of your classmates and ask if they’d be interested in forming a study group. Plan to meet as often as necessary, such as once a week or once every other week.
5
Ask your teacher or professor questions. You may have questions about some of the specific properties of these elements. Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher or professor to clarify the material. They are there to help you understand the material and facilitate your mastery of these concepts.
- Attend office hours if you are too shy to ask questions during class itself.
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