d-Block Elements (Transition

Elements) — Complete NEET

Notes

1. Introduction

d-block elements are those in which the last electron

enters the (n-1)d orbital. They lie between s-block and
p-block in the periodic table (Groups 3–12).

Transition element: An element whose atom (in

ground state) or ion (in common oxidation state)
has an incompletely filled d-subshell (d¹ to d⁹).

Zn, Cd, Hg (Group 12) are NOT transition elements

— they have fully filled d¹⁰ configuration in both
atomic and ionic states. But they're studied along
with d-block.

Sc (Group 3) is a d-block element but debated as

"transition" since Sc³⁺ (its only common ion) has
d⁰ configuration.

Four series (based on d-orbital being filled):

 Series Elements Filling

Sc(21) to
3d 3d
Zn(30)

Y(39) to
4d 4d
Cd(48)

La(57),
5d Hf(72) to 5d
Hg(80)

Ac(89),
6d
6d Rf(104) to
(incomplete/radioactive)
Cn(112)

NEET focuses mainly on 3d series (Sc to Zn).

2. Electronic Configuration of 3d
Series

General configuration: (n-1)d¹⁻¹⁰ ns⁰⁻²

Element Symbol Z Configuration

Scandium Sc 21 [Ar] 3d¹4s²

Titanium Ti 22 [Ar] 3d²4s²

 Element Symbol Z Configuration

Vanadium V 23 [Ar] 3d³4s²

[Ar] 3d⁵4s¹
Chromium Cr 24
(exception)

Manganese Mn 25 [Ar] 3d⁵4s²

Iron Fe 26 [Ar] 3d⁶4s²

Cobalt Co 27 [Ar] 3d⁷4s²

Nickel Ni 28 [Ar] 3d⁸4s²

[Ar] 3d¹⁰4s¹
Copper Cu 29
(exception)

Zinc Zn 30 [Ar] 3d¹⁰4s²

Why Cr and Cu are exceptions: Half-filled (d⁵) and

fully-filled (d¹⁰) d-subshells have extra stability due to
symmetrical distribution and exchange energy.

Important rule: While forming ions, 4s electrons are

removed before 3d electrons (4s has higher energy
once atom is ionized, despite (n+l) rule for filling).

Fe (3d⁶4s²) → Fe²⁺ (3d⁶) → Fe³⁺ (3d⁵)

3. General Properties

(a) Metallic Character

All are metals — hard, high tensile strength, good

conductors of heat/electricity (due to strong metallic
bonding from unpaired d-electrons).

(b) Melting and Boiling Points

Very high (except Zn, Cd, Hg) due to strong metallic

bonds involving d-electrons.

Trend: increases to middle of series, then

decreases

Zn, Cd, Hg have low mp/bp — no unpaired d-

electrons to contribute to metallic bonding (weak
metallic bonds, Hg is liquid at room temp)

(c) Atomic and Ionic Radii

Decrease from Sc to Cr (increasing nuclear

charge)

Become nearly constant/slight increase from Fe

to Cu (d-electron shielding balances increasing
nuclear charge)

Slight increase at Zn (d¹⁰ repulsion)

3d and 4d series differ in size, but 4d and 5d

series show similar sizes due to Lanthanoid
Contraction (La to Lu, 4f filling causes
 contraction, compensating the expected increase
from 4d to 5d)

(d) Ionization Enthalpy

Higher than s-block, generally increases across

series (with irregularities) due to increasing
nuclear charge and poor shielding by d-electrons

IE₁ of Cr and Cu are low (stable configs, easy to

remove one electron for stability... actually
reversed logic — check exceptions)

Zn has high IE₁ due to fully-filled stable

configuration

(e) Oxidation States

Show variable oxidation states because energies of

(n-1)d and ns orbitals are close, so both can
participate in bonding.

Common oxidation states differ by units of 1 (not

2, unlike p-block)

+2 and +3 are most common for 3d series

Highest oxidation state = +7 for Mn (in KMnO₄),

Sc shows only +3, Zn shows only +2

Maximum oxidation states shown by elements in

the middle of series (Mn: +2 to +7)

Higher oxidation states shown in oxides/fluorides

(F, O are strong oxidizers due to high EN/small
 size)

Key oxidation states table (3d series):

| Element | Common O.S. | Most stable |
|---|---|---|
| Sc | +3 | +3 |
| Ti | +2,+3,+4 | +4 |
| V | +2,+3,+4,+5 | +5, +4 |
| Cr | +2,+3,+6 | +3 |
| Mn | +2,+3,+4,+6,+7 | +2, +4 |
| Fe | +2,+3 | +3 |
| Co | +2,+3 | +2 |
| Ni | +2,+3,+4 | +2 |
| Cu | +1,+2 | +2 |
| Zn | +2 | +2 |

(f) Standard Electrode Potentials (E°)

Most M²⁺/M values negative except Cu (E° =

+0.34 V) → Cu doesn't displace H₂ from dilute
acids

Explains why Cu reacts with HNO₃/hot H₂SO₄

(oxidizing acids) but not with dil. HCl

(g) Color

Transition metal ions are colored due to d-d

transitions (electron jumps from lower to higher
d-orbital within same subshell, absorbing visible
light)
 Colorless ions have either d⁰ or d¹⁰ configuration
(Sc³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu⁺ = colorless)

Colored: Ti³⁺(purple), V³⁺, Cr³⁺(violet), Mn²⁺(pink),

Fe²⁺(green), Fe³⁺(yellow), Co²⁺(pink), Ni²⁺(green),
Cu²⁺(blue)

Governed by Crystal Field Theory

(h) Catalytic Properties

Due to variable oxidation states and ability to form

intermediate complexes, large surface area.

V₂O₅ — Contact process (H₂SO₄)

Fe — Haber process (NH₃)

Ni — hydrogenation of oils

FeCl₃ — Friedel-Crafts reaction, also catalyzes

reaction between I⁻ and S₂O₈²⁻

(i) Magnetic Properties

Paramagnetic: unpaired electrons present (most

transition metal ions)

Diamagnetic: no unpaired electrons (d⁰ or d¹⁰)

Magnetic moment formula: μ = √n(n+2) BM (n =

number of unpaired electrons), Spin-only formula

Magnetic moment increases with number of

unpaired electrons (max around d⁵, Mn²⁺/Fe³⁺)

(j) Formation of Complex Compounds

Due to small size, high charge density, and availability
of vacant d-orbitals to accept lone pairs from ligands.

E.g., [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻, [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, [Ni(CO)₄]

(k) Formation of Interstitial Compounds

Small atoms (H, C, N, B) fit into interstitial spaces of

the metal lattice → hard, high m.p., retain metallic
conductivity. E.g., TiC, Fe₃H, Mn₄N

(l) Alloy Formation

Transition metals readily form alloys since atomic

sizes are similar (one metal's atoms replace another's
in lattice). E.g., steel, brass alloys.

4. Important Compounds (NEET

High-Yield)

(A) Potassium Dichromate — K₂Cr₂O₇

Preparation from chromite ore (FeCr₂O₄):

1. Fusion with Na₂CO₃/air → Na₂CrO₄ (sodium

chromate)

2. Acidify with H₂SO₄ → Na₂Cr₂O₇

3. Treat with KCl → K₂Cr₂O₇ (less soluble,

crystallizes out)
Chromate–Dichromate equilibrium (pH dependent):
$$2CrO_4^{2-} (yellow) + 2H^+ \rightleftharpoons
Cr_2O_7^{2-} (orange) + H_2O$$

Chromate (CrO₄²⁻) stable in alkaline medium

Dichromate (Cr₂O₇²⁻) stable in acidic medium

Oxidizing agent in acidic medium:

$$Cr_2O_7^{2-} + 14H^+ + 6e^- \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} +
7H_2O \quad (E° = +1.33V)$$

Oxidizes: I⁻ → I₂, Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺, SO₂ → SO₄²⁻, H₂S →

S

Structure: Two CrO₄ tetrahedra sharing one corner

(Cr–O–Cr bridge).

(B) Potassium Permanganate — KMnO₄

Preparation from pyrolusite (MnO₂):

1. Fuse with KOH + oxidizing agent (KNO₃/air) →

K₂MnO₄ (green manganate)

2. Oxidize (electrolytically or with Cl₂/O₃) → KMnO₄

(purple)

$$2MnO_2 + 4KOH + O_2 \rightarrow 2K_2MnO_4 +

2H_2O$$
$$3MnO_4^{2-} + 4H^+ \rightarrow 2MnO_4^- +
MnO_2 + 2H_2O \text{ (disproportionation)}$$

Oxidizing action varies with pH:

 Medium Half reaction Product

MnO₄⁻ + 8H⁺ Mn²⁺

Acidic + 5e⁻ → Mn²⁺ (colorless,
+ 4H₂O E°=+1.51V)

MnO₄⁻ + 2H₂O
Neutral/faintly MnO₂ (brown
+ 3e⁻ → MnO₂
alkaline ppt)
+ 4OH⁻

Strongly MnO₄⁻ + e⁻ → Manganate

alkaline MnO₄²⁻ (green)

Uses/reactions (acidic KMnO₄ oxidizes):

FeSO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃

Oxalic acid/oxalates → CO₂

I⁻ → I₂; SO₂ → SO₄²⁻

H₂S → S

Structure: Tetrahedral, Mn in +7 state (d⁰, but colored

due to charge transfer, not d-d transition).

5. Standard Electrode Potential Trend

(E° M²⁺/M, 3d series)

Irregular trend but broadly: Ti < V < Cr... with

anomalies at Mn (less negative, stable d⁵ resists
oxidation to M³⁺... actually more negative for
reduction) and notable jump for Cu (positive).
(Focus on Cu having positive E° — key exam point)

6. Lanthanoid Contraction (linked

topic, often asked with d-block)

Steady decrease in atomic/ionic radii of

lanthanoids (Ce to Lu) with increasing atomic
number

Cause: poor shielding by 4f electrons, so effective

nuclear charge increases steadily

Consequences:

Radii of 4d and 5d transition series become

almost identical (e.g., Zr ≈ Hf, Nb ≈ Ta)

Difficult separation of lanthanoids

Basicity of lanthanoid hydroxides decreases

from La(OH)₃ to Lu(OH)₃

7. Quick Revision Points (Frequently

Asked in NEET)

1. Most common oxidation states across periodic

table: +2 and +3
 2. Element with maximum oxidation states: Mn (+2
to +7)

3. Strongest oxidizing agent among M³⁺ ions in

aqueous solution: Mn³⁺ (or Co³⁺ context-
dependent — check latest NCERT)

4. Highest melting point in 3d series: Chromium (W

is highest overall in d-block, 5d series)

5. Zero oxidation state: seen in metal carbonyls, e.g.,

Ni(CO)₄, Fe(CO)₅

6. Interstitial compounds are non-stoichiometric

7. Catalyst usage: V₂O₅ (Contact), Fe (Haber), Ni

(hydrogenation), Pt (Ostwald)

8. Mn²⁺ is most stable among M²⁺ ions of 3d series

(half-filled d⁵ stability)

9. Cr²⁺ is a strong reducing agent (d⁴ → d³, achieves

more stable t2g³ configuration)

10. Cu⁺ disproportionates in aqueous solution: 2Cu⁺

→ Cu²⁺ + Cu (since Cu²⁺ is more stable due to
higher hydration/lattice energy)

8. Common NEET Traps

Zn, Cd, Hg are d-block but not transition elements

Sc³⁺ and Zn²⁺ are colorless (no d-electrons

transition possible: d⁰ and d¹⁰)
 Ionization enthalpy trend has irregularities at Cr
and Cu (due to extra stable half-filled/fully-filled
configs) — do NOT assume smooth increase

4d and 5d series sizes are similar, NOT 3d and 4d

Oxidation state +7 (Mn) is achieved only with O or

F (electronegative elements), not simple halides
like Cl, Br

Tip: Pair these notes with previous year NEET questions

on K₂Cr₂O₇/KMnO₄ reactions and color/magnetism —
these are repeated almost every year.