Chapter 22 – METALS
From ChemEd Collaborative
METALS
22.4 Transitional Metal Ions in Aqueous Solutions
Approximately three-quarters of the known elements display the macroscopic properties characteristic of metals. They conduct both heat and electricity very well; they have shiny surfaces; they are capable of being shaped by hammering (malleable) and also of being drawn into wires (ductile). Chemical properties of the metals include a tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions, and the ability of their oxides to function as bases. The extent of these characteristics varies from one metal to another. Several borderline cases such as B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, and Te are difficult to classify as metals or nonmetals. These elements are usually referred to as the metalloids or semimetals. As you will recall from Chap. 6 one can draw a zigzag line across the periodic table from B to At which separates the metals from the nonmetals and semimetals. This line is clearly indicated in the periodic table inside the front cover of the book.
In this chapter we will be concerned mainly with the transition metals. Metals which are representative elements have already been covered in Chap. 12, while a discussion of the lanthanoid and actinoid metals is beyond the scope of an introductory text. Since transition metals contain d electrons in their valence shell, their chemistry is somewhat different from that of the representative elements. In particular they form a family of compounds called complex compounds or coordination compounds which are very different from those we have encountered up to this point.
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