2) Typical properties

• The transition metals (or transition elements) are in the centre of the periodic table, between Groups 2 and 3. They form coloured compounds.
• They have ions with different charges, e.g. Fe2+ and Fe3+.
• They can be used as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.
• Like all other metals, the transition metals are good conductors of heat and electricity and can be easily bent or hammered into shape.