Why zinc is placed in transition metals?

Answer 1

A transition element is a d-block element which forms one or more stable ions with incompletely filled d-orbitals.

Zn only forms one stable ion, which is Zn2+.

If we look at the electronic configuration of Zn and the Zn2+ ion:

Note that [Ar] is 1s2 2s22p6 3s23p6

Zn : [Ar] 4s2 3d10

Zn2+ : [Ar] 3d10

The Zn2+ ion has a completely filled d-orbital, so therefore Zn cannot be defined as a transition element, as its only stable ion does not have an incompletely filled d-orbital.

Zn, as a result of not having a stable ion which has an incompletely filled d-orbital, does not have coloured compounds : they tend to be white, and does not form complexes with ligands or display any of the other characteristics that we associate with transition elements.

Answer 2

Any of the metallic elements that have an incomplete inner electron shell (d subshell) and that serve as transitional links between the most and the least electropositive in a series of elements. They are characterized by multiple valences, colored compounds, and the ability to form stable complex ions. Also called transition metal.

Technically Scandium and Zinc are not transition metals as they form only one ion which leads to Scandium having a completely empty d-sub shell and in Zinc: a completely full d - sub shell with Zn2+ion.

The technical definition of a transition metal is when the metal contain at least one unpaired d-sub shell in at least one ion

This artical was written by Daniel John Pepper.

Answer 3

Zinc is placed in the transition metals because it has a partially filled d-subshell in its atomic structure. This characteristic allows zinc to exhibit typical transition metal properties, such as variable oxidation states and the ability to form complex ions.

Answer 4

Zirconium is a transition metal because it is located in the transition metal area in the Periodic Table

Answer 5

After the classification of IUPAC scandium and zinc are transition metals.