Why are zinc and Scandium not transition metals?

A transition metal is defined as an element that forms a stable ion with incompletely filled d orbitals. Scandium forms a 3+ ion with no electrons in its d orbitals and zinc forms a 3+ ion with completely filled d orbitals. The electronic configuration of Scandium= 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d1, 4s2. When scandium forms its 3+ ion, it loses the 4s2 and the 3d1 electrons to have the configuration 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6. The electronic configuration of zinc = 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10, 4s2. Even though the electrons fill up the 4s shell before the 3d, they also lose electrons from the 4s shell first and so when zinc forms its 2+ ion, the electron configuration is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10. Hence, both these electrons form stable ions (SC3+ and ZN2+) with completely filled d orbitals and so cannot be transition metals.

Answered by Ellie O. Chemistry tutor

22554 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is benzene more stable than the theoretical model cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene?


How do amino acids change at different pH?


Why does Benzene require a catalyst to react with Bromine whereas Phenol does not?


Explain why transition metal compounds are often coloured in solution.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences