WORKSHEET BY NANCY GEORGE MATHEW

The d and f Block Elements

I. Account for the following:
1. Transition metals act as catalysts.
2. Chromium group elements have the highest melting points in their respective series.
3. Transition metals form coloured complexes.
4. Transition metals have high enthalpies of atomization.
5. Among the lanthanoids, Ce (III) is easily oxidized to Ce (IV).
6. Cr2+ is strongly reducing, while Mn3+ is strongly oxidizing though both have d4 configuration.
7. Copper (I) has d10 configuration, while copper (II) has d9 configuration, still copper (II) is more
stable in aqueous solution than copper (I).(or Cu+ ion is unstable in aqueous solutions).
8. The second (4d) and third (5d) transition series elements have almost similar atomic radii.
9. Atomic radius of Cu is smaller than that of K, though both have similar outer electronic configuration.
10. Zr and Hf have identical sizes.(or Zr and Hf have similar properties).
11. The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic while the highest is amphoteric /acidic.
12. Mn (II) shows maximum paramagnetic character amongst the divalent ions of the 3d series.
13. In the titration of FeSO4 with KMnO4 in the acidic medium, why is dil H2SO4 used instead of
dil HCl/HNO3? (Or) permanganate titrations in presence of HCl/HNO3 are unsatisfactory.
14. Among transition metals, the highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxoanions of a metal.
15. Ce4+ is used as an oxidizing agent in volumetric analysis.
16. Transition metals form a number of interstitial compounds.
17. Zn2+ salts are white while Cu2+ salts are blue.
18. Co2+ is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of complexing agents gets oxidized.
19. E0 (Mn3+/Mn2+) is more positive than Cr3+/Cr2+ or Fe3+/Fe2+.
20. Actinoid contraction is greater than lanthanoid contraction.
21. Actinoids have greater number of oxidation states than lanthanoids.
22. d1 configuration is very unstable in ions.
23. Zn, Cd and Hg are not regarded as transition metals.
24. Copper (I) is diamagnetic while Copper (II) is paramagnetic.
25. La(OH)3 is more basic than Lu(OH)3.
26. There are only 10 elements in a transition series.
27. The highest oxidation state of transition elements is exhibited in oxo anions of a metal.
28. E Mn+/M of Mn, Ni and Zn are more negative than expected.
29. In alkaline medium the colour of potassium dichromate changes from orange to yellow.
30. In acidic medium the colour of potassium chromate changes from yellow to orange.
31. Ce4+ is a good oxidizing agent while Eu2+ is a good reducing agent.
32. Fe3+ is more paramagnetic than Fe2+.
33. Sodium dichromate is preferred to potassium dichromate as an oxidizing agent inorganic chemistry.
34. Potassium dichromate is preferred to sodium dichromate in volumetric analysis.
35. Potassium dichromate is a stronger oxidizing agent in acidic medium than alkaline medium.
36. Transition elements have similar properties along horizontal periods as well as vertical groups.
37. Transition elements form alloys.
38. Transition elements form complex compounds.
39. Sc3+ salts are colourless.
40. Ti4+ salts are colourless while Ti2+ salts are coloured.
41. Mn3+ and Co3+ are strong oxidizing agent while Cr2+ is strong reducing agent.
42. Melting points of transition metals increase across a series till the middle and then decrease again.
43. Lanthanoid elements are present together in minerals. (or) Separation of Lanthanoids is difficult.
44. Enthalpy of atomization of elements of 4d and 5d series is greater than that of the 3d series.
45. Density of transition metals increases from left to right across the series.

WORKSHEET BY NANCY GEORGE MATHEW

46. In the 3d series enthalpy of atomization of zinc is the least.
47. Copper does not displace hydrogen from dilute acids (except HNO3).
48. E (M2+/M) value for copper is +0.34 V.
49. E (M2+/M) values for the first row transition metals vary irregularly across the series.
50. The first and second ionization enthalpies of the first series of transition elements vary irregularly.
51. The oxidizing power increases in the order VO2+ < Cr2O72- < MnO452. Sc is considered as a transition element but not Zn.
53. Silver atom has completely filled d orbitals in its ground state, yet it is considered as a T. element.
54. Cr2+ is a stronger reducing agent than Fe2+.
II. A mixed oxide of iron and chromium FeOCr2O3 is fused with sodium carbonate in the presence of air to
form a yellow coloured compound (A). On acidification the compound (A) forms an orange coloured compound
(B), which is a strong oxidising agent. Identify
(i) the compounds (A) and (B)
(ii) Write balanced chemical equation for each step.
III. (a) A blackish brown coloured solid A when fused with alkali metal hydroxides in presence of air, produces
a dark green coloured compound B, which on electrolytic oxidation in alkaline medium gives a dark purple
coloured compound C. Identify A, B
and C and write the reactions involved.
(b) What happens when an acidic solution of the green compound (B) is allowed to stand for some time? Give
the equation involved. What is this type of reaction called?
IV. Indicate the steps in the preparation of:
(i) K2Cr2O7 from chromite ore. (ii) KMnO4 from pyrolusite ore.
V. For M2+/M and M3+/M2+ systems the E values for some metals are as follows:
Cr2+/Cr = -0.9V
Cr3+/Cr2+ = -0.4 V
2+
Mn /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+
(ii) the ease with which iron can be oxidised as compared to a similar process for either Cr or Mn metal.
VI. a) What is meant by disproportionation? Give two examples of disproportionation reaction in aq.solution.
b) Name an important alloy which contains some of the lanthanoid metals. Mention its uses.
c) Name metal in the first series of transition metals exhibits +1 oxidation state most frequently and why?
d) Name the last element in the series of the actinoids? Write the electronic configuration of this element.
Comment on the possible oxidation state of this element.
e) Name the members of the lanthanoid series which exhibit +4 and those which exhibit +2 oxidation states.
Try to correlate this type of behaviour with the electronic configurations of these elements.
VII. Compare the chemistry of actinoids with that of the lanthanoids with special reference to:
(i) electronic configuration (ii) oxidation state (iii) atomic and ionic sizes (iv) chemical reactivity.
VIII. What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the causes and consequences of lanthanoid contraction?
IX. Write & learn all the oxidizing reactions of a) K2Cr2O7 b) KMnO4 in both acidic and alkaline medium.