GENERAL CHEMISTRY PRESENTATION

LATE TRANSITION METALS

INTRODUCTION:

The transition elements or transition metals occupy the short columns in the
center of the periodic table, between Group 2A and Group 3A. They are
sometimes called the d-block elements, since in this region the d-orbitals are being
filled in, and are also referred to as B-group elements since in most numbering
systems of the columns on the periodic table the numerals of these groups are
followed by the letter B

Name-Reason:

1.Transition metals are found in the periodic table between the s-block and p-block
elements.

2.Thus, they are called d-block elements.

3.Transition metals are unstable metals that display transitional behavior between s
and p block elements, thus their name.

Why they are called d-block elements?

The d-block elements are those elements in which last differentiating electron
( valence electron) enters the d orbital. The transition elements have general
electronic configuration (n-1)d1-10 ns1-2. Therefore, in transition elements the last
differentiating electron or the valence electron enters into (n-1) d orbital

According to IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), a

transition metal is an element which has at least one partially filled d-orbital atom
or otherwise can produce cations which have partially filled d-subshells. Primarily,
transition elements refer to the d-block elements and the elements of f-block are
called inner transition elements. These elements belong to the middle part of the
periodic table and are present between the s and p-block elements in the periodic
table.

The d-block elements are called transition elements because they exhibit
transitional behaviour between s-block and p-block elements. Their properties are
transitional between highly reactive metallic elements of s-block which are ionic in
nature and the elements of p-block which are covalent in nature. Likewise, we can
say that the d-block elements construct a bridge between the s and p-block
elements.

Since they display transitional behaviour between s-block and p-block elements,
these d-block elements are known as transition elements.

The lanthanides and actinides are groups of elements in the periodic table. They
are the elements that are often listed below the main section of the periodic table.
There are thirty total elements in the lanthanides and actinides. They are often
called the "inner transition metals."

Lanthanides and actinides are elements with unfilled f orbitals. Lanthanides are all
metals with reactivity similar to group 2 elements. Actinides are all radioactive
elements. Lanthanides are used in optical devices (night vision goggles), petroleum
refining, and alloys.

Lanthanides

The lanthanides are the elements with atomic numbers from 57 to 71. These 15
metals (along with scandium and yttrium) are often called the rare earth elements.
They are all silvery-white metals which are often found in the same ores. They are
called the lanthanides because they exhibit similar chemical properties to
lanthanum, the first element in the group.

Actinides

Actinides are the 15 elements with atomic numbers from 89 to 103. They are
named after the first element in the series, actinium. The actinides group includes
mostly man-made elements with only a few exceptions such as uranium and
thorium. The actinides are most known for the
elements uranium and plutonium which are used in nuclear reactors and nuclear
bombs.

Interesting Facts about Lanthanides and Actinides

 The lanthanides and actinides are located mostly in the "f-block" of the
periodic table.
 Lanthanides are used in products such as hybrid cars, superconductors, and
permanent magnets.
 The actinide americium is used in smoke detectors.
 Elements that have an atomic number greater than uranium (92) are often
called "transuranium." Many of these elements are man-made under the
conditions of nuclear reactors.
 The first actinides discovered were uranium and thorium.
 The name "actinium" comes from the Greek word "aktis" which means
beam or ray.
 Both actinides and lanthanides are highly reactive with elements from the
halogen group.
 All of the lanthanides have at least one stable isotope except for
promethium.
 None of the actinides have a stable isotope. They are all radioactive.
 DISCUSSION PROPER:

Example uses of Silver

1. Electrical and Electronics

We all own something electrical or an electronic with a piece of silver in it. Silver
holds an excellent electrical conductivity, making it the number one choice for
electronics or anything electrical such as printed circuit boards, switches, TV
screens, telephones, microwave ovens, children’s toys and computer keyboards.
This metal is highly reliable and durable for many cycles.

2. Jewelry and Silverware

Being an attractive, reflective and moldable metal, silver is used in jewelry and
silverware. It is the cheaper alternative to its sister metal gold and it resists
oxidation and corrosion. Silver still can be tarnished, but a little polish allows it to
shine for a lifetime.

3. Photography

Silver has been used in photography for centuries, due its light sensitivity.
Traditional photography uses film covered in silver halide crystals which set when
exposed to light creating a vivid picture. Its accuracy allows silver to be used in
non-digital consumer photography, traditional film, and X-rays.

4. Antibacterial

For centuries, many people have used silver vessels to store water, wine and
vinegar to ensure freshness, but did not why silver worked. It was recently
discovered that silver ions absorb oxygen, which kills bacteria. It is also non-toxic
which makes it the perfect agent for water purification, bandages, dental hygiene
and even eye drops.

5. Coins, Rounds and Bullion

The main reason many invest into pure metal is for future investments or as a safe
haven. The best way to get your hands on the pure metal for such purposes is the
form of coins, rounds or bullion bars. Silver coins are great for collectors. They are
a great way to invest in something iconic, traditional or rare. Rounds are great for
collectors who also want to something for future investment purposes. They are the
closest thing to the market price and are still considered a collectors’ item. Silver
bullion bars are great for storage as they are easier to stack and takes up less space.

Example uses of Cadmium

Cadmium is a poison and is known to cause birth defects and cancer. As a result,
there are moves to limit its use.

80% of cadmium currently produced is used in rechargeable nickel-cadmium

batteries. However, they are gradually being phased out and replaced with nickel
metal hydride batteries.

Cadmium was often used to electroplate steel and protect it from corrosion. It is
still used today to protect critical components of aeroplanes and oil platforms.

Other past uses of cadmium included phosphors in cathode ray tube colour TV
sets, and yellow, orange and red pigments.

Cadmium absorbs neutrons and so is used in rods in nuclear reactors to control

atomic fission.

Example uses of Tungsten

Tungsten was used extensively for the filaments of old-style incandescent light
bulbs, but these have been phased out in many countries. This is because they are
not very energy efficient; they produce much more heat than light.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals and is alloyed with other
metals to strengthen them. Tungsten and its alloys are used in many high-
temperature applications, such as arc-welding electrodes and heating elements in
high-temperature furnaces.

Tungsten carbide is immensely hard and is very important to the metal-working,

mining and petroleum industries. It is made by mixing tungsten powder and carbon
powder and heating to 2200°C. It makes excellent cutting and drilling tools,
including a new ‘painless’ dental drill which spins at ultra-high speeds.

Calcium and magnesium tungstates are widely used in fluorescent lighting.

Example uses of Platinum

Platinum is used extensively for jewellery. Its main use, however, is in catalytic
converters for cars, trucks and buses. This accounts for about 50% of demand each
year. Platinum is very effective at converting emissions from the vehicle’s engine
into less harmful waste products.

Platinum is used in the chemicals industry as a catalyst for the production of nitric
acid, silicone and benzene. It is also used as a catalyst to improve the efficiency of
fuel cells.

The electronics industry uses platinum for computer hard disks and thermocouples.

Platinum is also used to make optical fibres and LCDs, turbine blades, spark plugs,
pacemakers and dental fillings.

Platinum compounds are important chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancers.

Example uses of Gold

Most mined gold is stored as bullion. It is also, however, used extensively in

jewellery, either in its pure form or as an alloy. The term ‘carat’ indicates the
amount of gold present in an alloy. 24-carat is pure gold, but it is very soft. 18- and
9-carat gold alloys are commonly used because they are more durable.

The metal is also used for coinage, and has been used as standard for monetary
systems in some countries.

Gold can be beaten into very thin sheets (gold leaf) to be used in art, for decoration
and as architectural ornament. Electroplating can be used to cover another metal
with a very thin layer of gold. This is used in gears for watches, artificial limb
joints, cheap jewellery and electrical connectors. It is ideal for protecting electrical
copper components because it conducts electricity well and does not corrode
(which would break the contact). Thin gold wires are used inside computer chips to
produce circuits.

Dentists sometimes use gold alloys in fillings, and a gold compound is used to treat
some cases of arthritis.

Gold nanoparticles are increasingly being used as industrial catalysts. Vinyl

acetate, which is used to make PVA (for glue, paint and resin), is made using a
gold catalyst.

Example uses of Mercury

Mercury has fascinated people for millennia, as a heavy liquid metal. However,
because of its toxicity, many uses of mercury are being phased out or are under
review.

It is now mainly used in the chemical industry as catalysts. It is also used in some
electrical switches and rectifiers.

Previously its major use was in the manufacture of sodium hydroxide and chlorine
by electrolysis of brine. These plants had been phased out by 2020. It was also
commonly used in batteries, fluorescent lights, felt production, thermometers and
barometers. Again, these uses have been phased out.

Mercury easily forms alloys, called amalgams, with other metals such as gold,
silver and tin. The ease with which it amalgamates with gold made it useful in
recovering gold from its ores. Mercury amalgams were also used in dental fillings.

Mercuric sulfide (vermilion) is a high-grade, bright-red paint pigment, but is very

toxic so is now only used with great care