Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781305957404
Author: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher: Cengage Learning
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Chapter 21, Problem 1RQ

What two first-row transition metals have unexpected electron configurations? A statement in the text says that first-row transition metal ions do not have 4s electrons. Why not? Why do transition metal ions often have several oxidation states, whereas representative metals generally have only one?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The first-row two elements that have unexpected electron configurations; the reason behind the absence of 4s electrons in first-row transition metal ions and the reason behind the exhibition of several oxidation states in transition metal ions but not only one oxidation state in representative elements is to be stated.

Concept introduction: The metal atoms that act as a bridge between the s and p block elements are called transition elements. They are called the d block elements and these include the elements of group 3 to group 12 . These elements forms a large number of coordination compounds.

To determine: The first-row two elements that have unexpected electron configurations; the reason behind the absence of 4s electrons in first-row transition metal ions and the reason behind the exhibition of several oxidation states in transition metal ions but only one oxidation state in representative elements.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

Answer

The two metals that have unexpected electron configuration are chromium and copper.

Due to less effect of effective nuclear charge over 4s electrons, first-row transition metals do not have 4s electrons.

Due to the less energy gap between the (n1)d orbital and ns orbital, the electrons of both the orbital participates in the bond formation and leads to variable oxidation states of the transition metal atom.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation

The expected electronic configuration of chromium is represented as,

[Ar]3d44s2

The actual electronic configuration of chromium is represented as,

[Ar]3d54s1

The expected electronic configuration of copper is represented as,

[Ar]3d94s2

The actual electronic configuration of chromium is represented as,

[Ar]3d104s1

The half filled and fully filled orbital are more stable. Therefore to attain stability, these metals attain the unexpected configuration.

Due to less effect of effective nuclear charge over 4s electrons, first-row transition metals do not have 4s electrons.

The effect of effective nuclear charge over 4s electrons is lower than that is present over 3d electrons. So, it becomes easy to remove electrons from 4s orbital than 3d orbital. That’s why first-row transition metals do not have 4s electrons.

Due to the less energy gap between the (n1)d orbital and ns orbital, the electrons of both the orbital participates in the bond formation and leads to variable oxidation states of the transition metal atom.

The electrons in transition metal atom are present in (n1)d and ns orbital and any small effect can lead to anomalous electronic configuration. Therefore, the oxidation state varies from +3 to +7 . But the number of electrons present in representative elements are lower than the transition metal atoms; therefore they exhibit only one oxidation state.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Transition metal atoms exhibit properties between s and p block elements and exhibit variable oxidation states due to participation of inner d orbital electrons and the s orbital electrons in the bond formation.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Chapter 21 Solutions

Chemistry

Ch. 21 - Prob. 1ALQCh. 21 - Prob. 2ALQCh. 21 - Prob. 3ALQCh. 21 - Prob. 4ALQCh. 21 - Prob. 5QCh. 21 - Four different octahedral chromium coordination...Ch. 21 - Prob. 7QCh. 21 - Prob. 8QCh. 21 - Prob. 9QCh. 21 - Prob. 10QCh. 21 - Prob. 11QCh. 21 - Prob. 13QCh. 21 - Prob. 14QCh. 21 - Which of the following ligands are capable of...Ch. 21 - Prob. 16QCh. 21 - Prob. 17QCh. 21 - What is the maximum number of unpaired d electrons...Ch. 21 - Prob. 19QCh. 21 - Prob. 20QCh. 21 - Prob. 21QCh. 21 - Prob. 22QCh. 21 - Prob. 23ECh. 21 - Prob. 24ECh. 21 - Prob. 25ECh. 21 - Prob. 26ECh. 21 - Prob. 27ECh. 21 - Prob. 28ECh. 21 - Prob. 29ECh. 21 - Prob. 30ECh. 21 - Prob. 31ECh. 21 - When an aqueous solution of KCN is added to a...Ch. 21 - Consider aqueous solutions of the following...Ch. 21 - A coordination compound of cobalt(III) contains...Ch. 21 - Prob. 35ECh. 21 - Prob. 36ECh. 21 - Prob. 37ECh. 21 - Prob. 38ECh. 21 - Prob. 39ECh. 21 - Give formulas for the following complex ions. a....Ch. 21 - Prob. 41ECh. 21 - Prob. 42ECh. 21 - Prob. 43ECh. 21 - Amino acids can act as ligands toward transition...Ch. 21 - Prob. 45ECh. 21 - Prob. 46ECh. 21 - Prob. 47ECh. 21 - Prob. 48ECh. 21 - Prob. 49ECh. 21 - Prob. 50ECh. 21 - Prob. 51ECh. 21 - Prob. 52ECh. 21 - Prob. 53ECh. 21 - Prob. 54ECh. 21 - The CrF64 ion is known to have four unpaired...Ch. 21 - Prob. 56ECh. 21 - Prob. 57ECh. 21 - The complex ion Fe(CN)63 is paramagnetic with one...Ch. 21 - Prob. 59ECh. 21 - Prob. 60ECh. 21 - Prob. 61ECh. 21 - Prob. 62ECh. 21 - The wavelength of absorbed electromagnetic...Ch. 21 - The complex ion NiCL42 has two unpaired electrons,...Ch. 21 - How many unpaired electrons are present in the...Ch. 21 - The complex ion PdCl42is diamagnetic. Propose a...Ch. 21 - Prob. 67ECh. 21 - Prob. 68ECh. 21 - Prob. 69ECh. 21 - Prob. 70ECh. 21 - Silver is sometimes found in nature as large...Ch. 21 - Prob. 72ECh. 21 - Prob. 73AECh. 21 - Prob. 74AECh. 21 - Prob. 75AECh. 21 - The compound cisplatin, Pt(NH3)2Cl2, has been...Ch. 21 - Prob. 77AECh. 21 - Prob. 78AECh. 21 - Prob. 79AECh. 21 - Prob. 80AECh. 21 - Prob. 81AECh. 21 - Name the following coordination compounds. a....Ch. 21 - Prob. 83AECh. 21 - Prob. 84AECh. 21 - Prob. 85AECh. 21 - Prob. 86AECh. 21 - Carbon monoxide is toxic because it binds more...Ch. 21 - Prob. 88AECh. 21 - Prob. 89CWPCh. 21 - Which of the following molecules exhibit(s)...Ch. 21 - Prob. 91CWPCh. 21 - The following table indicates the number of...Ch. 21 - Prob. 93CWPCh. 21 - Which of the following statement(s) is( are) true?...Ch. 21 - Consider the following complex ion, where A and B...Ch. 21 - Consider the pseudo-octahedral complex ion of...Ch. 21 - Prob. 97CPCh. 21 - Prob. 98CPCh. 21 - Chelating ligands often form more stable complex...Ch. 21 - Prob. 100CPCh. 21 - Prob. 101CPCh. 21 - Prob. 102CPCh. 21 - Sketch and explain the most likely crystal field...Ch. 21 - Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA4 ) is used as a...Ch. 21 - Prob. 105CPCh. 21 - The ferrate ion, FeO42, is such a powerful...Ch. 21 - Ammonia and potassium iodide solutions are added...Ch. 21 - a. In the absorption spectrum of the complex ion...Ch. 21 - There are three salts that contain complex ions of...
Knowledge Booster
Chemistry
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
  • Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305079243
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781133611097
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305957404
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
  • Chemistry: Principles and Practice
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9780534420123
    Author:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry: The Molecular Science
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781285199047
    Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Principles of Modern Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305079113
    Author:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
  • Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305079243
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781133611097
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305957404
    Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry: Principles and Practice
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9780534420123
    Author:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Chemistry: The Molecular Science
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781285199047
    Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Principles of Modern Chemistry
    Chemistry
    ISBN:9781305079113
    Author:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Introduction to Coordination ComplexesWave Function for Hydrogen atom # All Vital Topics # Quantum Mechanics part -21; Author: Priyanka Jain;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKgNV9dmUHo;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY
    CBSE Class 12 Chemistry || The d & f Block Elements Part 1 || Full Chapter || By Shiksha House; Author: Best for NEET;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzZWHSdYaxw;License: Standard Youtube License