4 x 1 hour lessons

This module covers the characteristic properties of transition metals, including their variable oxidation states, ability to form complex ions, and coloured compounds. You’ll explore ligand substitution, the shapes of complex ions, and explanations for colour changes — all essential for understanding both theoretical and applied inorganic chemistry.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• define what makes an element a transition metal

• explain the general properties of transition metals including variable oxidation states, catalytic activity, and complex formation

• describe and predict ligand substitution reactions

• determine and sketch the shapes of complex ions with coordination numbers of 4 and 6

• explain colour in transition metal complexes in terms of d-orbital splitting and ligand field theory

AQA Specification Points: 2.7 General properties of transition metals 2.8 Substitution reactions 2.9 Shapes of complex ions 2.10 Formation of coloured ions