Question

describe the general characteristic of transition elements with special reference to the following:
(1) Formation of colour salt
(2) Variable oxidation state​

Answer 1

Formation of colour salt, Variable oxidation state​

Explanation:

Formation of color salt leads to split into two lets, one consisting of lower energy orbital i.e dxy, dyz and dxz and also the other consisting of higher energy orbital i.e dx2 - y2 and dz2 which is termed as crystal field splitting. Therefore, the electrons can jump from lower energy d-orbitals to higher energy d-orbitals.

By the study of electronic configuration of transition metals, it concludes that variable oxidation number is result as there are both ns and (n-1)d electrons in bonding and therefore the involvement of ns electrons in bonding lends to +2 oxidation number which may be a lower oxidation state.