- 2070 Bhadra · 2 marks
Zn and Cd not typical transition metals
Short answer
Zn (3d¹⁰4s²) and Cd (4d¹⁰5s²) have completely filled d subshells in atoms and form only +2 ions with d¹⁰ configuration. They lack an incomplete d subshell in any common state, showing no variable oxidation states, forming colourless diamagnetic compounds, and thus are not typical transition metals.
Give reasons why Zn and Cd are not considered as typical transition metals.
A typical transition element has an incomplete d subshell in the atom or in its common ions.
- Zn: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s²; Cd: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s².
- Both have a completely filled d¹⁰ subshell in the atom, and they form only +2 ions (Zn²⁺ 3d¹⁰, Cd²⁺ 4d¹⁰) by losing the ns electrons. The d subshell stays full.
- As a result they show no variable oxidation state, form colourless diamagnetic compounds, rarely form coloured complexes, and have low melting and boiling points.
So Zn and Cd lack the typical properties of transition metals.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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