Properties

• ·         The transition metals are a set of elements that lie within the d-block, being good conductors of heat and electricity, being hard, strong and shiny, and having high melting and boiling points.
• ·         In general, as you go along the first row of the d-block, there are 2 outer 4s electrons and subsequent electrons are added to the inner 3d sub-shell.
• ·         However, chromium and copper do not fit this trend as they have a partially filled 4s sub-shell with 3d5 and 3d10 respectively, which is believed to increase atom stability.
• ·         When the ions of the transition metals are formed, the 4s electrons are lost first.
• ·         A transition metal is one that forms at least one stable ion with a part full d-shell of electrons, meaning scandium and zinc aren’t included.
• ·         Chemical properties of transition metals include having variable oxidation states, being coloured, possibly showing catalytic activity and having complex ion formation.