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Transition metals (A-level only) key terms
Study Transition metals (A-level only) with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
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Transition metals (A-level only)
Key terms
Ligand
A ligand is a molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex.
Coordination number
The coordination number is the number of ligand donor atoms bonded to the central metal atom in a complex.
Oxidation state
The charge of an atom in a compound, which can vary for transition metals based on the number of electrons lost.
Coordination number
The number of ligand donor atoms that are bonded to the central metal atom in a complex.
Ligand
A ligand is a molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a central metal atom or ion to form a coordination complex.
d-d transition
A d-d transition is the movement of an electron between different d-orbitals in a transition metal ion, which can result in the absorption of light and the appearance of colour.
Catalyst
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Oxidation state
The charge of an atom in a compound, indicating the degree of oxidation or reduction.
Ligand
A molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a metal ion in a coordination complex.
Coordinate bond
A type of covalent bond formed when one atom donates both electrons to the bond.
Coordination Number
The number of ligand donor atoms bonded to a central metal ion in a complex.
Ligand
A molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a central metal ion to form a coordination complex.
Coordination Number
The number of ligand donor atoms that are bonded to the central metal ion in a complex.
Ligand
A molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a central metal ion to form a coordination complex.
Ligand
A species that donates a pair of electrons to a metal ion to form a coordinate bond.
Coordination complex
A compound consisting of a central metal atom bonded to surrounding molecules or ions (ligands).
Complex ion
A complex ion is a charged species consisting of a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding ligands.
Ligand substitution
Ligand substitution refers to the replacement of one ligand in a complex with another ligand.
Coordination number
The number of ligand donor atoms that are bonded to the central metal ion in a complex.
Tetrahedral complex
A coordination complex where the central metal ion is surrounded by four ligands arranged at the corners of a tetrahedron.
Oxidation
The process of losing electrons, resulting in an increase in oxidation state.
Reduction
The process of gaining electrons, resulting in a decrease in oxidation state.
Redox Reaction
A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between two species, resulting in changes in oxidation states.
Oxidation State
A number that represents the total number of electrons that an atom either gains or loses to form a chemical bond.
Ligand
A molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a transition metal to form a coordination complex.
Coordination number
The number of ligand donor atoms that are bonded to the central metal ion in a complex.
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