CHARACTERISTICS OF
d BLOCK ELEMENTS

• d block elements are also called as transition elements and are metals
• Last electron enters the d subshell preceding the outermost shell
• They show similarities of properties not only in group but also in period
• TShow different oxidation states
• Components are mostly coloured. E.g. copper sulphate – blue, cobalt nitrate – light pink , potassium permanganate – violet , ferrous sulphate – light green, ammonium dichromate- orange
• Transition elements and their compounds are widely used as catalysts as they are capable of showing different oxidation states and hence act as oxidizing agents or reducing agents at the sametime. For e.g. V in contact process, spongy iron in haber process and Ni in hydrogenation of vegetable oils.