1.Write the general electronic configuration of d block elements.

[ Noble gas] (n-1) d1-10 ns1-2

2. Write the general electronic configuration of f- block elements.

The general electronic configuration of f- block elements (Lanthanoids) is [Xe] 4f1 – 14 5d 0- 1 6s2

3.Assign reasons for each of the following:

(a) Transition metals generally form coloured compounds

(b) Transition metals and their compounds generally exhibit a paramagnetic behaviour

(c) The enthalpies of atomization of transition metals are quite high.

(d) The transition metals and many of their compounds act as good catalysts

e) The transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states

a) Because presence of unpaired d electrons, which undergoes d-d transition by absorption of energy
from visible region and then the emitted light shows complementary colours.

(b) Because of presence of unpaired electrons in their d-subshell in atomic and ionic state.

c) Because of large number of unpaired electrons in their atoms they have stronger interatomic
interaction and hence stronger bonding between atoms resulting in higher enthalpies of atomization.

d) The catalytic properties of the transition elements are due to the presence of unpaired electrons in
their incomplete d-orbitals and variable oxidation states.

e) The transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because of very close energies of

incompletely filled (n – l) d orbitals and ns orbitals due to which both can participate in bonding.

4. What are the transition elements? Write two characteristics of the transition elements.

Elements which have partially filled d-orbital in its ground states or any one of its oxidation states are
called transition elements.

i) They show variable oxidation states.

ii) They form coloured ions.
iii) They form complex compounds.

5. In the series Sc (Z = 21) to Zn (Z = 30), the enthalpy of atomization of zinc is the lowest, i.e.,
126 kJ mol–1. Why?
In the formation of metallic bonds, no electrons from 3d-orbitals are involved in case of zinc, while in
all other metals of the 3d series, electrons from the d-orbitals are always involved in the formation of
metallic bonds.

6. What is meant by disproportionation? Give two examples of disproportionation reaction in

aqueous solution.

In disproportionation reactions, the same substance is oxidized as well as reduced. For example,

(a) 2H2O2 →2H2O +O2

(b) 3MnO42−+ 4H+ → 2MnO4− + MnO2+ 2H2O

7. Indicate the steps in the preparation of:
(i) K2Cr2O7 from chromite ore. (ii) KMnO4 from pyrolusite ore.

i) Preparation of K2Cr2O7 It takes place in three steps:

a) Conversion of chromite ore into sodium chromate

4FeCr2O4 + 4Na2CO3 + 7O2 → Na2CrO4 + Fe2O3 + 8CO2

b) Conversion of sodium chromate into sodium dichromate

2Na2CrO4 + H2SO4 → Na2Cr2O7 + Na2SO4 + H2O

c) Conversion of sodium dichromate into potassium dichromate

Na2Cr2O7 + 2KCl → K2Cr2O7 + 2NaCl

(ii) KMnO4 from pyrolusite ore (MnO2).

2MnO2 + 4KOH + O2 → 2K2MnO4 + 2H2O

3MnO42– + 4H+ → 2MnO4– + MnO2 + 2H2O

8. Which is a stronger reducing agent Cr 2+ or Fe2+ and why?

Cr2+ is stronger reducing agent than Fe 2+

Reason: d4 → d3 occurs in case of Cr2+ to Cr3+

But d6 → d5 occurs in case of Fe 2+ to Fe3+In a medium (like water) d 3 is more stable as

compared to d5

9. For M2+/M and M3+/M2+ systems the E V values for some metals are as follows:

Cr2+/Cr -0.9V Cr3 /Cr2+ -0.4 V

Mn2+/Mn -1.2V Mn3+/Mn2+ +1.5 V

Fe2+/Fe -0.4V Fe3+/Fe2+ +0.8 V

Use this data to comment upon:

(i) the stability of Fe3+ in acid solution as compared to that of Cr3+ or Mn3+ and
(ii) the ease with which iron can be oxidized as compared to a similar process for either
chromium or manganese metal.

(a) The reduction potential of Cr 3+/Cr2+ is negative and hence, Cr (III) is most stable as it cannot
be reduced to Cr (II).

Mn3+/Mn2+ has large positive value and Mn (III) is least stable as it can be easily reduced to
Mn (II).

Fe3+/Fe2+ has small positive value and Fe (III) is more stable than Mn (III) but less stable
than Cr (III).

(b) Mn2+/Mn has most negative reduction potential and it is most easily oxidized.
The ease of oxidation is Mn>Cr>Fe.
10. Which metal in the first series of transition metals exhibits +1 oxidation state most
frequently and why?
In the first transition series, Cu exhibits +1 oxidation state very frequently. It is because Cu (+1)
has an electronic configuration of [Ar]3d 10. The completely filled d-orbital makes it highly stable.

11. What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the consequences of lanthanoid contraction?

The steady decrease in the size of lanthanoid ions (M 3+) with the increase in atomic number is
called lanthanoid contraction.

Consequences of lanthanoid contraction:

(i) Separation of lanthanoids is difficult due to lanthanoid contraction because due to this
contraction their ionic radii is very small.
(ii) (ii) The basic strength of hydroxides decreases from La (OH)3 to Lu (OH)3. Due to

lanthanoid contraction, the size of M 3+ ions decreases and there is increase in the
covalent character in M - OH bond.

12. What are interstitial compounds? Why are such compounds well known for transition
metals?
Interstitial compounds are those which are formed when small atoms like H, N or C are trapped
inside the crystal lattices of metals. They are usually non-stoichiometric and are neither typically
ionic nor covalent.

Interstitial compounds are well known for transition compounds due to its closed crystalline
structure with voids in them. The atomic size of transition metals is very large hence have large
voids to occupy these small atoms.

13. Why is the highest oxidation state of a metal exhibited in its oxide or fluoride only?
The highest oxidation state of a metal exhibited in its oxide or fluoride only since fluorine and
oxygen are the most electronegative elements. The highest oxidation state shown by any transition
element is +8

14. The E o (M2+/M) value for copper is positive (+0.34V). What is possible reason for this?

(Hint: consider its high ∆aHo and low ∆hyd Ho)

Copper has a high atomization energy ΔaHΘ and Low hydration energy ΔhydHΘ. Due to which E0
value is positive.
15. Explain why Cu+ ion is not stable in aqueous solutions?
Cu+ in aqueous solution undergoes disproportionation, i.e.,
2Cu+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + Cu(s) The E0 value for this is favorable
16.Name the oxo metal anions of the first series of the transition metals in which the metal
exhibits the oxidation state equal to its group number.
Sol: Cr2O72- and CrO42- (Group number = Oxidation state of Cr = 6).

Mn04– (Group number = Oxidation state of Mn = 7).

17. How would you account for the following:
(i) Of the d4 species, Cr2+ is strongly reducing while manganese (III)is strongly oxidizing.
(ii) Cobalt (II) is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of complexing reagents it is
easily oxidised.
(iii) The d1 configuration is very unstable in ions.
(i) E° value for Cr3+/Cr2+ is negative (- 0.41 V) whereas E° values for Mn3+/Mn2+is positive (+1.57 V).
Hence, Cr2+ ion can easily undergo oxidation to give Cr3+ ion and, therefore, act as strong reducing
agent whereas Mn3+ can easily undergo’ reduction to give Mn2+ and hence act as an oxidizing agent.

(ii) Co (III) has. greater tendency to form coordination complexes than Co

(II). Hence, in the presence of ligands, Co (II) changes to Co (III), i.e., is easily oxidized.

(iii) The ions with d1 configuration have the tendency to lose the only electron present in d-

subshell to acquire stable d° configuration. Hence, they are unstable and undergo oxidation
or disproportionation.

18. Calculate the number of unpaired electrons in the following gaseous ions: Mn3+, Cr3+, V3+

and Ti3+. Which one of these is the most stable in aqueous solution.

Sol: Mn3+ = 3d1 = 4 unpaired electrons, Cr3+ = 3d3 = 3 electrons, V3+ = 3d2 = 2 electrons, Ti3+=3d1 = l

electron. Out of these, Cr3+ is most stable in aqueous solution because of half-filled t2g level.

19. What are alloys? Name an alloy which contains some lanthanoid metals. Mention its uses.
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of different metals or metals and non-metals.
Misch metal is an alloy of cerium (Ce). lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe) and traces of
carbon, Sulphur, aluminum etc. It is used in making parts of jet engines.

20. Compare the chemistry of actinoids with that of lanthanoids with reference to:
(i)Electronic configuration
(ii)Oxidation states
(iii)Chemical reactivity
(i) Electronic configuration: In lanthanoids 4f- orbitals are progressively filled whereas in actinoids
5f-orbitals are progressively filled.
(ii) Oxidation states: Lanthanoids shows +3 oxidation state. Some elements show +2 and +4
oxidation state also. Actinoids shows +3, +4, +5 +6, +7 oxidation states. Although +3 and +4 are most
common.
(iii) Chemical reactivity: Actinoids are more reactive than lanthanoids due to bigger atomic size and
lower ionization energy.

21. Give examples and suggest reasons for the following features of the transition metal
chemistry:
(i) The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic the highest is amphoteric/ acidic.
(ii) A transition metal exhibits highest oxidation state in oxides and fluorides.
(iii) The highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxo anions of a metal.
(i) The lower oxide of transition metal is basic because the metal atom has low oxidation state
whereas higher once are acidic due to high oxidation state. For example, MnO is basic whereas
Mn2O7 is acidic. Oxides in lower oxidation state are ionic hence basic. Oxides in higher oxidation
state are covalent hence acidic

(ii) A transition metal exhibits higher oxidation states in oxides and fluorides because oxygen and
fluorine are highly electronegative elements, small in size and strongest oxidizing agents. For
example, osmium shows an oxidation state of + 6 in O5F6 and vanadium shows an oxidation state of

+ 5 in V2O5.

(iii) Oxo metal anions have highest oxidation state, e.g., Cr in Cr2O72- has an. oxidation state of + 6

whereas Mn in MnO4– has an oxidation state of + 7. This is again due to the combination of the metal
with oxygen, which is highly electronegative and oxidizing agent.

22. Describe the oxidizing action of potassium dichromate and write the ionic equations for its
reaction with: (i) iodide (ii)iron (II) solution and (iii) H2S

Potassium dichromate is a powerful oxidizing agent in acidic medium. In the presence of dilute
sulphuric acid, it liberates nascent oxygen.

K2Cr2O7+4H2SO4 → K2SO4 + Cr2(SO4)3 + 4H2O+3(O) Nascent oxygen In acidic medium,

dichromate ion takes up electrons and acts as an oxidizing agent.
Cr2O72−+14H++6e−→2Cr3++7H2O
The net ionic equations for its reaction with
(i) iodide (ii) iron(II) solution and (iii) H2S are as shown below.

23. How does the acidified permanganate solution react with

(i) iron (II) ions
(ii) SO2 and
(iii) oxalic acid?
Write the ionic equations for the reactions.
24. What are the different oxidation states exhibited by the lanthanoids?
Lanthanides exhibits + 2, + 3 and + 4 oxidation states. The most common oxidation state of
lanthanoids is +3.

25. Write some similarities and differences between Lanthanide and Actinide.
Similarities between lanthanoids and actinoids:
Similarities
Lanthanoids and actinoids both have a +3 most common oxidation state.
The f-orbitals gradually fill in both series. In both series, the ionic radius of the whether decreases as
the number increases.
For all the cases, the electronegativity in both series is low. So, they are electropositive in nature.

Differences between lanthanides and actinides:

1. In the case of Lanthanoid, progressive filling of 4f-orbital takes place while 5f-orbital is
progressively filled in the case of actinoids.
2. Except for Promethium, lanthanoid elements are non-radioactive in nature, whereas all
actinoid series members are radioactive.
3. Lanthanoids are less reactive as compared to actinoids.
4. The magnetic property of Lanthanoids is less complex as compared to actinoids.