Chapter CLASSIFICATION OF

ELEMENTS AND
PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES
3.1 GENESIS OF PERIODIC CLASSIFICATION
Dobereiner’s Triads : According to Dobereiner when elements of same properties are kept in the increasing order of their atomic
weights, the atomic weight of middle element is equal to the mean atomic weight of remaining two elements. Such a group of
elements is called Dobereiner’s triad.

Triad of atoms Mean of first and last element

Li Na K
7 23 39 7  39
 23
2
Be Mg Ca
8  40
8 24 40  24
2

Dobereiner could arrange only a few elements as triads and there are some such elements present in a triad, whose atomic
weights are approximately equal, e.g.
Fe Co Ni
Ru Rh Pd
Therefore, this hypothesis was not acceptable for all elements.

Newland’s Rule of Octave As in music, the eighth node is same as the first node. If the elements are arranged in the increasing
order of atomic weights, on starting with an element, the first element will exhibit similarities with the eighth element e.g.
Symbol of element Li Be B C N O F
7 9 11 12 14 16 19
Symbol of element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl
23 24 27 28 31 32 35.5
It is clear from the above table that sodium is the eighth element from lithium, whose properties resemble that of lithium.
This type of classification was limited up to only 20 elements.

Mendeleef’s Periodic Law : According to Mendeleef’s periodic law, the physical and chemical properties of elements are
periodic functions of their atomic weights.

Main features of Mendeleev’s periodic table : Elements are arranged in tabular form in rows and columns.
1. The horizontal rows present in the periodic table are called periods. There are seven periods in the periodic table. These are
numbered from 1 to 7 (Arabic numerals).
2. Properties of elements in a particular period show regular gradation (i.e. increase or decrease) from left to right.
3. The vertical columns present are called groups. These are nine in number and are numbered from I to VIII and Zero (Roman
numerals).
4. Groups I to VII are subdivided into A and B subgroups. Groups Zero and VIII don’t have any subgroups.
5. All the elements in a particular group are chemically similar in nature. They show regular gradation in their physical properties
and chemical reactivities.

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 Defects in Mendeleev’s periodic classification : In spite of being a historic achievement Mendeleev’s periodic table had some
defects in it.
1. Position of hydrogen : Hydrogen resembles alkali metals (forms H+ ion just like Na+ ions) as well as halogens ( forms H– ion
similar to Cl– ion). Therefore, it could neither be placed with alkali metals (group I) nor with halogens (group VII ).
2. Position of isotopes : Different isotopes of same elements have different atomic masses, therefore, each one of them should be
given a different position in the periodic table. On the other hand, because they are chemically similar, they had to be given
same position.
3. Anomalous pairs of elements : At certain places, an element of higher atomic mass has been placed before an element of
lower atomic mass. For example, Argon (39.91) is placed before potassium (39.1)

3.2 MODERN CLASSIFICATION

Moseley, showed that atomic number is more fundamental property of an element than its atomic mass. Therefore, the position
of an element in the periodic table depends on its atomic number.
Moseley observed regularities in the characteristic X-ray spectra of the elements. A plot of  (where is frequency of X-rays
emitted) against atomic number (Z ) gave a straight line and not the plot of  vs atomic mass.
(a) Modern periodic laws : The physical and chemical properties of elements are the periodic functions of their atomic numbers.
(b) Long Form of periodic table: The arrangement of elements in the long form of periodic table is a perfect matching of
electronic configuration of the elements on one hand and physical and chemical properties.

3.2.1 Structural Features of the Long Form of Periodic Table:

(i) In this table there are 18 vertical columns called groups. They are numbered from 1 to 18. Every group has a unique
configuration.
(ii) There are seven horizontal rows. These rows are called periods. Thus the periodic table has seven periods, numbered from
1 to 7.
(iii) First period consists of only two elements (very short period). Second and third periods consists of only eight elements each
(short periods). Fourth and fifth periods consist of 18 elements each (long periods). Sixth period consists of 32 elements
(long period).
Seventh period is yet incomplete and more and more elements are likely to be added as the scientific research advances.
(iv) There are also nick names given to the groups or a cluster of groups on the basis of the similarity of their properties, as given
below:
Group 1 elements except hydrogen, are called Alkali Metals
Group 2 elements are called Alkaline Earth Metals.
Group 3 to 12 elements are called Transition Metals.
Group 16 elements are called Chalcogens.
Group 17 elements are called Halogens.
Group 18 elements are called Noble Gases.
Apart from what has been said above elements with atomic numbers 58 to 71 are called Lanthanoids - or Inner Transition
elements (First series). Elements from atomic numbers 90 to 103 are called Actinoids - Inner Transition elements (Second
series).
All elements except transition and inner transition elements are also collectively called Main Group Elements.

3.2.2 Position of Metals, Non-Metals and Metalloids:

In order to locate the position of metals, non-metals and metalloids in the periodic table, you may draw a diagonal line joining the
element boron (At. no. 5) with that of tellurium (At. no. 52) and passing through silicon and arsenic.
Now we are in a position to make the following observations.
(i) The elements above the diagonal line and to the far right are non-metals (except selenium which shows slightly metallic
character also). The non-metallic character is more marked the farther an element is from the diagonal line and up.
(ii) The elements below the diagonal line and to the left are metals. (Hydrogen is a nonmetal and is an exception)The metallic
character is more marked the farther an element is from the diagonal line and down. All lanthanoids and actinoids are metals.
(iii) The elements along the diagonal line are metalloids and possess the characteristics of metals as well as of non-metals. In
addition germanium, antimony and selenium also show the characteristics of metalloids.

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STUDYMATERIAL: XI CHEMISTRY
3
Figure : Long form of the Periodic Table of the Elements with their atomic numbers and ground state outer
electronic configurations. The groups are numbered 1-18 in accordance with the 1984 IUPAC
recommendations. This notation replaces the old numbering scheme of IA–VIIA, VIII, IB–VIIB and 0 for
the elements.

CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS AND PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES

3.2.3 Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers greater than 100 :
* The naming of the new elements was earlier left entirely to its discoverer. The suggested names were then later ratified by
IUPAC. But due to certain disputes that arose over the original discoverer of some of the elements of atomic numbers greater
than 104, the IUPAC in 1994 appointed a Commission on Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemisty (CNIC).
* After consultation with the Commission and the chemists around the world, the IUPAC in 1997 recommeded a nomenclature
to be followed for naming the new elements with atomic numbers greater than 103 until their names are fully recognised.
* The names are derived directly from the atomic number of the element using the following numerical roots for 0 and numbers
1-9.
0 = nil 3 = tri 6 = hex 9 = enn
1 = un 4 = quad 7 = sept
2 = bi 5 = pent 8 = oct
* The roots are put together in the order of the digits which make up the atomic number and 'ium' is added at the end.

Example 1 :
What would be the IUPAC name and symbol for the element with atomic number 120?
Sol. The roots for 1, 2 and 0 are un, bi and nil, respectively. Hence, the symbol and the name respectively are Ubn and unbinilium.

3.2.4 Merits of modern periodic table over Mendeleev’s periodic table :

* The modern periodic table is based on atomic number which is more fundamental property of an atom than atomic mass.
* The long form of modern periodic table is therefore free of main defects of Mendeleev’s periodic table.
(a) Position of isotopes : All isotopes of the same elements have different atomic masses but same atomic number. Therefore,
they occupy the same position in the modern periodic table which they should have because all of them are chemically
similar.
(b) Anomalous pairs of elements : When elements are arranged in the periodic table according to their atomic numbers the
anomaly regarding certain pairs of elements in Mendeleev’s periodic table disappears. For example, atomic numbers of
argon and potassium are 18 and 19 respectively. Therefore, argon with smaller atomic number comes before potassium
although its atomic mass is greater and properties of both the elements match with other elements of their respective
groups.

3.3 ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATIONS OF ELEMENTSAND THE PERIODIC TABLE

* The Group number corresponds to the number of valence electrons.
* The length of each "block" is the maximum number of electrons the sublevel can hold.
* The Period number corresponds to the principal energy level of the valence electrons.

s2 p 1 p2 p 3 p4 p 5 s 2
1
2 p6
3 d1 d2 d3 d4 d5 d6 d7 d8 d9 d10
4
5
6
7
f2 f3 f4 f5 f6 f7 f8 f9 f10 f11 f12 f13 f14 f14d1

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 For example, Electronic configuration of P

1A 8A
1 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A
2 Ne
3 3s2 P
4 3p3
5
6
7

P = [Ne]3s23p3

Example 2 :
How would you justify the presence of 18 elements in the 5th period of the Periodic Table?
Sol. When n = 5,  = 0, 1, 2, 3. The order in which the energy of the available orbitals 4d, 5s and 5p increases is 5s < 4d < 5p.
The total number of orbitals available are 9. The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated is 18; and therefore 18
elements are there in the 5th period.

Example 3 :
The elements Z = 117 and 120 have not yet been discovered. In which family/group would you place these elements and also give
the electronic configuration in each case.
Sol. The element with Z = 117, would belong to the halogen family (Group 17) and the electronic configuration would be
[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p5. The element with Z = 120, will be placed in Group 2 (alkaline earth metals), and will have the electronic
configuration [Uuo] 8s2.

3.4 TYPES OF ELEMENTS :

(i) s-block elements : Group 1 (alkali metals) and group 2 elements (alkaline earth metals) which respectively have ns1 and ns2
outermost electronic configurations.
(ii) p-block elements belong to groups 13 to 18. The outermost electronic configuration is ns2 np1-6.
He (1s2) is a s-block element but is positioned with the group 18 elements (ns2 np6) because it has completely filled valence
shell and as a result, exhibits properties characteristic of other noble gases.
(iii) d-block elements (Transition elements) are the elements of group 3 to 12 having outer electronic configuration
(n – 1)d1-10 ns1-2. Four transition series are 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d. 6d-series is incomplete.
(iv) f-block Elements (Inner-transition Series) : Lanthanoides characterised by the filling of 4f orbitals, are the elements
following lanthanum from 58Ce to 71Lu. Actinoides characterised by the filling of 5f orbitals, are the elements following
actinium from 70Th to 103Lr. Characteristic outer electronic configuration is (n – 2)f1-14 (n – 1)d 0-1 ns2.

3.5 PERIODICITY
The repetition of similar properties after regular intervals is called periodicity.
Cause of Periodicity: The properties of elements are the periodic repetition of similar electronic configuration of elements as the
atomic number increases.

3.5.1 Atomic properties : The physical characteristics of the atom of an element are called atomic properties. The properties such as
atomic radius, ionic radius, ionisation energy, electro-negativity, electron affinity and valence etc., called atomic properties.
(i) Atomic radius : The distance from the centre of the nucleus to the outermost shell of the electrons in the atom of any element
is called its atomic radius.
Periodicity- (a) In period- Atomic radius of elements decreases from left to right in a period.
(b) In Group- Atomic radius of elements increases on moving top to bottom in a group.

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 300
Alkali metals Cs
Rb
250 Period 5
K
Period 4 transition
transition elements
200 Na elements

Li
Radius (pm)

150

Xe
100 Kr
Ar
Ne
50
He Noble gases
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Atomic number
Figure : Atomic radii
* Covalent radius : Half the inter-nuclear distance between two similar atoms of any element which are covalently bonded to
each other by a single covalent bond is called covalent radius.
* Van der Waal’s radius : Half the inter-nuclear separation between two similar adjacent atoms belonging to the two
neighbouring molecules of the same substance in the solid state is called the van der waals'radius of that atom.
* Metallic radius : Half the distance between the nuclei of the two adjacent metal atoms in a close packed lattice of the metal
is called its metallic radius.
Van der Waals'radius > Metallic radius > Covalent radius.

(ii) Ionic radius : The effective distance from the centre of the nucleus of an ion upto which it has an influence on its electron
cloud is called its ionic radius.
* Ion size increases down the group
* Cations smaller than neutral atom; Anions bigger than neutral atom
* Cations smaller than anions.
o except Rb+1 & Cs+1 bigger or same size as F-1 and O-2
* In case of isoelectronic species, the cation with greater positive charge has smaller radius but anion with greater
negative charge has the larger radius.

(iii) Ionization enthalpy : (iH) is the enthalpy change for the reaction :
X(g) X+ (g) + e–
Second ionization enthalpy (iH2) is more than the first ionization enthalpy (iH1).
iH1 < iH2 < iH3 < ...........
Trends:
* larger the effective nuclear charge on the electron, the more energy it takes to remove it
* the farther the most probable distance the electron is from the nucleus, the less energy it takes to remove it
* 1st IE decreases down the group
o valence electron farther from nucleus
* 1st IE generally increases across the period
o effective nuclear charge increases
* Ionization Energy generally increases from left to right across a Period except from 2A to 3A, 5A to 6A
For example,
(a) Which is easier to remove an electron from Be or B? Why?
To ionize Be you must break up a full sublevel, cost extra energy.
When you ionize B you get a full sublevel, costs less energy.

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 (b) Which is easier to remove an electron from N or O? Why?
To ionize N you must break up a half-full sublevel, cost extra energy
When you ionize O you get a half-full sublevel, costs less energy
* For the elements of second period, the correct order of increasing ionization enthalpy is :
Li < B < Be < C < O < N < F < Ne
* For the elements of third period, the correct increasing order of ionization enthalpy is :
Na < Al < Mg < Si < S < P < Cl < Ar
* For the group 1 elements, the ionization enthalpy decreases in the order :
Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
* Ionization enthalpy and atomic radius are closely related properties depending upon the attraction of electrons towards
the nucleus and repulsion of electrons from each other.

(iv) Electron gain enthalpy ( egH) is the enthalpy change for the reaction :
X(g) + e–  X – (g).
egH for N atom is zero. All the elements except noble gases, have negative values of egH whereas noble gases have
positive values of egH.
Trend in egH : Electron gain enthalpy generally becomes more negative across a period as we move right to left and within
a group becomes less negative down the group.
Exceptions : P, S, Cl have more negative egH than N, O, F respectively.
Second electron gain enthalpy of an atom is always positive.
* lowest EA in period = alkali earth metal or noble gas
* highest EA in period = halogen
(v) Electronegativity (EN) : It is the qualitative measure of an atom in a chemical compound to attract the shared electrons to
itself. The most widely used scale is Pauling scale which is based on bond energy data. By giving a reference value of 2.1 to
H, the maximum electronegativity value of 4 is assigned to F.
Periodicity:
(a) In period- The electro-negativity increases from left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The electro-negativity decreases from top to bottom in a group.

Electron gain enthalpy

Ionization enthalpy
Electronegativity
Atomic radius

cter
Ionization enthalpy

Electron gain enthalpy

ll ic chara
eta
Nonm cter
a llic chara
Me t

Atomic radius

Electronegativity

Example 4 : Figure : The periodic trends of elements in the periodic table

The increasing order of atomic size of Li, Be, B and Ne is
Sol. B < Be < Li < Ne .
Inert gas is biggest in a period.

Example 5 :
What should be the order of size of H–1 , H+1 and H ?
H–1 H+1 H
1p 1p 1p
2e 0e 1e
Sol. H+1 < H < H–1
STUDYMATERIAL: XI CHEMISTRY 7 CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS AND PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES
Example 6 :
Why does the first ionisation enthalpy increase as we go from left to right through a given period of the periodic table ?
Sol. In a period, the nuclear charge (the number of protons) increases in going from left to right. The electron added to each element
from left to right enters the same shell. This results in an increase of the effective nuclear charge across the period in going from
left to right. As a result, the electrons get more firmly bound to the nucleus. This causes an increase in the first ionisation
enthalpy across the period.

3.5.2 Chemical properties

(i) Valence electrons : The electrons present in outermost shell are called as valence electron. Because the electrons in the
outermost shell determine the valency of an element.
Valence of an element : The number of hydrogen or halogen atom or double the number of oxygen atom, which combine with
one atom of the element is taken as its valency. According to the electronic concept of valency, " the number of electrons
which an atom loses or gains or shares with other atom to attain the noble gas configuration is termed as its valency."
Periodicity in valency or oxidation state:
(a) In period- The valency first increases then decreases from left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The valency remains constant from top to bottom in a group.
(ii) Electropositive or metallic character : The tendency of an element to lose electrons and forms positive ions (cations) is
called electropositive or metallic character. The elements having lower ionisation energies have higher tendency to lose
electrons, thus they are electropositive or metallic in their behaviour. Alkali metals are the most highly electropositive
elements.
Periodicity:
(a) In period- The electropositive or metallic characters decreases from left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The electropositive or metallic characters increases from top to bottom in a group.
(iii) Electro-negative or non-metallic characters : The tendency of an element to accept electrons to form an anion is called its
non metallic or electronegative character. The elements having high electro-negativity have higher tendency to gain elec-
trons and forms anion. So, the elements in the upper right hand portion of the periodic table are electro-negative or non-
metallic in nature.
Periodicity:
(a) In period- The electro-negative or non- metallic characters increases from left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The electro-negative or non-metallic characters decreases from top to bottom in a group.
(iv) Reactivity of metals :
Periodicity:
(a) In period- The tendency of an element to lose electrons decreases in a period. So the reactivity of metals decreases from
left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The tendency of an element to lose electrons increases in a period. So the reactivity of metals increases from
top to bottom in a group.
(v) Reactivity of non-metals :
(a) In period- The tendency of an element to gain electrons increases in a period. So the reactivity of non-metals increases
from left to right in a period.
(b) In group- The tendency of an element to gain electrons decreases in a group. So the reactivity of non-metals increases
from top to bottom in a group.
(vi) Solubility of alkal metals carbonates and bicarbonates :
Perodicity in group : The solubility of alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates in water increases down the group (From
Lithium to Caesium).
(vii) Solubility of alkaline earth metal hydroxides and sulphaes :
Perodicity in group : The solubility of alkaline earth metal hydroxide and sulphates in water increases down the group (From
Beryllium to Barium).
(viii) Basic strength of alklanine earth metal hydroxides :
Perodicity in group : The basic strength of alkaline earth metal hydroxide in water increases down the group (From Beryllium
to Barium), i.e., Be(OH)2 < Mg(OH)2 < Ca(OH)2 < Sr(OH)2 < Ba(OH)2
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Basic strength increases.
(ix) Thermal stability of carbonates of alkali and alkaline earth metals :
Except lithium carbonate, (LiCO3), the carbonates of all other alkali metals are stable towards heat, i.e., carbonates of alkali
metals (except LiCO3) do not decompose on heating. LiCO3 decomposes on heating to give lithium oxide (LiCO3). The
carbonates of alkaline earth metals are relatively less stable. On heating, they decompose to give corresponding oxide and
CO2 gas. The decomposition temperature for alkaline earth metal carbonates increases as we go down the group.
STUDYMATERIAL: XI CHEMISTRY 8 CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS AND PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES
3.5.3 Anomalous Properties of Second Period Elements
* Each element of second period, i.e., first element of each of group 1 and 2 and groups 13-17 shows many properties which are
not shown by its cogeners. Their anomalous behaviour is attributed to their small size, large charge/radius ratio, high
electronegativity, non-availability of d-orbitals in their valence shell.
* Some elements of second period Li, Be, B shows dissimilarities with other elements of this group but shows similarities with
elements of third group like Mg,. Al, Si situated diagonally to them. It is called diagonal relationship.
3Li 4Be 5B 6C

11Na 12Mg 13Al 14Si

* The first member of each group has only four valence orbitals (one 2s and three 2p orbitals) for bonding, whereas the second
member of the group has nine valence orbitals (one 3s, three 3p and five 3d orbitals). As a consequence of this, maximum
covalency of first member of each group is limited to '4', whereas the other members of the group can expand their valence
shell to accommodate more than four pairs of electrons. For example, B from [BF4] and Al, [AlF6]3.
* In addition to this, the first member of each group of p-block elements displays greater ability to form p -p multiple bonds
to itself (e.g. C = C, C  C, N = N, N  N) and to other second period elements (e.g., C = O, C = N, C  N, N = O) compared
to subsequent members of the same group.

Example 7 :
Are the oxidation state and covalency of Al in [AlCl(H2O)5]2+ same ?
Sol. No. The oxidation state of Al is +3 and the covalency is 6.

Example 8 :
Show by a chemical reaction with water that Na2O is a basic oxide and Cl2O7 is an acidic oxide.
Sol. Na2O with water forms a strong base whereas Cl2O7 forms strong acid.
Na2O + H2O  2NaOH
Cl2O7 + H2O  2HClO4
Their basic or acidic nature can be qualitatively tested with litmus paper.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
Example 1 :
Which of the following is the period number of the element whose atomic number is 98
(A) 4 (B) 7 (C) 5 (D) 6
Sol. (B). The electronic configuration of the element with atomic number 98 is as follow
1s2 , 2s2 , 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s2 , 3d10, 4p6, 5s2, 4d10 , 5p6, 6s2, 4f14, 5d10, 6p6, 7s2, 5f 10
The last electron enters in f orbital, so it belongs to f block in the period.

Example 2 :
Which of the following is not a transition element –
(A) Co (B) Ni (C) Mn (D) Zn
Sol. (D). There is only one incomplete orbit in Zn+2 and its stable oxidation state is (+2) does not have incomplete d orbital.
Therefore it is not a transition element.

Example 3 :
On the basis of quantum numbers, justify that the sixth period of the periodic table should have 32 elements.
Sol. Sixth period corresponds to n = 6. So,
= 0 1 2 3 4 5
Type of orbitals s p d f
Orbitals 1 3 5 7
Electrons 2 6 10 14 = 32

STUDYMATERIAL: XI CHEMISTRY 9 CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS AND PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES

Example 4 :
The first ionization ethalpy values (in kJ mol–1) of group 13 elements are :
B Al Ga In Tl
801 577 579 558 589
How would you explain this deviation from the general trend ?
Sol. The decrease in the value of ionization enthalpy from B to Al is the normal trend due to increased size.
The trend in going from Al to Tl could be due to poor shielding by d-electrons and the resulting d-block contraction.

Example 5 :
Which of the following atoms and ions are isoelectronic ?
(a) Al3+ (b) F (c) Cl– (d) O2– (e) Na (f) Mg2+
Arrange the isoelectronic ions in the decreasing order of their size.
Sol. The number of electrons in these atoms or ions are-
Ion or atom Al3+ F Cl– O2– Na Mg2+
No. of Electrons 10 9 18 10 11 10
Thus, Al3+, O2– and Mg2+ are isoelectronic ions because all the three ions have ten electrons. Now nuclear charge in Al3+ + 13,
in O2– + 8 and in Mg2+ + 12. With increase in nuclear charge (electrons remain same), size will decrease. Consequently, the size
follows the order : O2– > Mg2+ > Al3+

Example 6 :
I.P. of one H atom is 2.18 × 10–18 J. Calculate I.E. of H atom in kJ mole–1.

2.18 1018 J 6.02  1023 atom

Sol. I.E. = × = 1.31 × 106 J mole–1 = 1310 kJ mole–1.
1atom mole
Example 7 :
Write the electronic configuration of the elements whose atomic number are given below-
A (Atomic number = 35) B (Atomic number = 18)
C (Atomic number = 29) D (Atomic number = 37)
Also predict the period, group and block to which they belong.
Sol. A = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p5 Period = 4, Group = 17 and block = p-block
B = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 Period = 3, Group = 18 and block = p-block
C = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1 Period = 4, Group = 11 and block = transition element (d-block)
D = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 5s1 Period = 1, Group = 1 and block = s-block.

Example 8 :
What is the basic difference between the terms electrons gain enthalpy and electronegativity ?
Sol. The electron gain enthalpy is the change in enthalpy for the reaction : X(g) + e–  X– (g)
Thus, electron gain enthalpy provides a measure of ease with which an atom adds an electron to form an anion. It is a measurable
property.
Electronegativity is not a measurable quantity. It indicates a quantitative measure of the tendency of an atom in a compound to
attract the shared electrons towards itself.

Example 9 :
What are d-block elements ? Comment briefly on their (i) oxidation states, (ii) tendency to form complexes and (iii) catalytic
properties.
Sol. d-block elements are those elements with partly filled d-subshell in their elementary form or in their chemically significant
oxidation states.
(i) d-block elements exhibit variable oxidation states of +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 and +7.
(ii) d-block elements show a significant tendency to form complexes, due to the small size and high effective nuclear charge, they
accept lone pairs from ligands.
(iii) Because of variable valency, transition metals can form unstable intermediate compounds with reactants. Hence d-block
elements exhibit catalytic property in many heterogeneous reactions.

STUDYMATERIAL: XI CHEMISTRY 10 CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS AND PERIODICITY IN PROPERTIES