Chemistry: Valency of Transition Metals?

[edjam]

Hi, coudl someone explain ho wyou find the valency of transition metals, specifically iron? Cheers
James

 

[warlord]

Depends on what the metal is bonded to. Generally Iron is Fe3+

 

[serialb]

You have understand that electrons doesn't fill up in the order of orbitals when it comes to transition metals. Therefore in transition metals, valency doesn't have much relationship to it's reactivity.

 

[serialb]

Here's a brief explanation:


<< Properties of Transition Metals
The Properties of Transition Metals are largely dependent on the electronic configuration of the electrons in the outer shell and in the penultimate outer shell.

The transition elements readily form alloys with themselves and with other elements (e.g. a copper-tin alloy is used for mirrors, brass is a copper-zinc alloy). Tungsten, is used to make tools and filaments in light bulbs.

The atomic size is fairly constant since the electrons in the outer most shells have similar environments.

The low ionisation potentials mean that the elements show variable valency states by loss of electrons from the s and 3d orbitals.

The elements in this group can have different oxidation states which makes them useful as catalysts.

Compounds of the transition elements can be paramagnetic (i.e. attracted by a magnetic field) or diamagnetic (i.e. not attracted by a magnetic field). Paramagnetism in the transition elements is caused by the presence of unpaired electrons in the d sub-orbital. Diamagnetism is characteristic of compounds where all the electrons are paired in the d sub-orbitals. >>



Thanks for asking this question. I like refreshing materials

 

[edjam]

Thx guys, Yeah I thought it was 3, but always remember using iron 2+ once. Thanks again
James

 

[Martin]

<< Thx guys, Yeah I thought it was 3, but always remember using iron 2+ once. Thanks again
James >>




look at the periodic table. Iron can be either 2 or 3, the way Hg can be either 1 or 2.


It was to be given to you in the question, or you have to deduct it from a formula. FeO would be Fe2, while Fe2O3 would imply Fe3

 

[edjam]

Yeah, fact is, there is no equation to deduct, I think I could work it out if it was Iron oxide man.

 

[serialb]

Another clue for solving this problem is to check the color of Iron Oxide. Fe2+ and Fe3+ have different colors. Brown or green one way or the other.

 

[edjam]

Yeah thx. I know the colours, bu tthe question is to do with moles and stuff.