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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Transition metal

An element of the d block (groups 3 to 12), where the (n−1)d(n-1)d subshell is being filled. When they form cations, transition metals lose their nsns electrons before any dd electrons, and many of their ions have unpaired d electrons.

Iron, [Ar] 4s2 3d6[\mathrm{Ar}]\,4s^2\,3d^6.

Example

Vanadium is [Ar] 4s2 3d3[\mathrm{Ar}]\,4s^2\,3d^3; VX3+\ce{V^3+} is [Ar] 3d2[\mathrm{Ar}]\,3d^2 (both 4s4s electrons and one 3d3d electron removed), with 2 unpaired electrons.

See alsoBlock (s, p, d, f)d orbitalCationParamagnetic