Zinc, cadmium and
mercury of group 12 have full d
10 configuration in their
ground state as well as in their common oxidation states
and hence, are not regarded as transition metals However, being the end members of the 3d, 4d and 5d
transition series, respectively, their chemistry is studied
along with the chemistry of the transition metals The presence of partly filled d or f orbitals in their
atoms makes transition elements different from that of
The d  - and f  -
Block Elements
The d- and f-
Block Elements
After studying this Unit, you will be
•able to
learn the positions of the d– and
f-block elements in the periodic
table;
•
know the electronic configurations
of the transition (d-block) and the
inner transition (f-block) elements;
•
appreciate the relative stability of
various oxidation states in terms
of electrode potential values;
•
describe 
the 
preparation,
properties, structures and uses
of some important compounds
such as K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4;
•
understand 
the 
general
characteristics of the d– and
f–block elements and the general
horizontal and group trends in
them;
•
describe the properties of the
f-block elements and give a
comparative 
account 
of 
the
lanthanoids and actinoids with
respect 
to 
their 
electronic
configurations, oxidation states
and chemical behaviour Objectives
Iron, copper, silver and gold are among the transition elements that
have played important roles in the development of human civilisation