Andrew Voyles

IB Chemistry Assessment Statements: Topic 13: Periodicity

13.1.1: Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P4O10, P4O6, NaCl, MgCl2, Al2Cl6, and AlCl3
are all solids under standard conditions, due to their strong ionic bonds
or network covalent bonds (SiO2, P4O10, P4O6, Al2Cl6, and AlCl3). SO3,
Cl2O7, SiCl4, and PCl3 are liquids at room temperature due to their weaker
covalent bonds and stronger intermolecular forces. SO2, Cl2O, and Cl2
are gases under standard conditions due to their weaker
intermolecular forces.

Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, NaCl, and MgCl2 are good electrical conductors in the
molten state, as their ionic bonds give up mobile charged electrons
when the compounds undergo melting. SiO2, Al2Cl6, and AlCl3 are
network covalent compounds and so have no significant conductivity.
The other compounds are covalent compounds and do not have mobile
electrons to transport charge, so they are not conductors.

13.1.2:

Adding H2O
NaCl NaCl(aq) -> Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
MgCl2 MgCl2 (aq) -> Mg2+ (aq) + 2Cl- (aq)
Al2Cl6 Al2Cl6 + 6H2O -> 2[Al(H2O)3]+3 + 6HCl (aq)
SiCl4 SiCl4 + H2O -> Si(OH)4 + 4HCl (aq)
PCl3 PCl3 + 3H2O -> H3PO3 (aq) + 3HCl (aq)
PCl5 2PCl5 + 6H2O -> 2HPO3 (aq) + 10HCl (aq)
Cl2 Cl2 (g) + H2O -> HCl (aq) + HClO (aq)

13.2.1: Typical d-block elements contain an incomplete d orbital, and

generally exhibit multiple oxidation states (in period 4, with the
exceptions of Sc or Zn) ,form colored compounds, form complex ions,
and act as catalysts.

13.2.2: Zn is not considered a transition element because both its

metal and its common ion (Zn+2) do not have an incomplete d orbital
([Ar]4s23d10 and [Ar] 3d10 configurations, respectively). Sc is similar in
that its common ion (Sc+3) does not have an incomplete d orbital ([Ar]
configuration).

13.2.3: The multiple oxidation states of the d-block (transition metal)

elements are due to the proximity between the 4s and 3d sub shells (in
terms of energy). All transition metals exhibit a +2 oxidation state
(both electrons being lost from the 4s) and all have other oxidation
states as in the following examples:

• V : +2, +3, +4, +5

• Cr : +2, +3, +6
• Mn : +2, +4, +6, +7
• Fe : +2, +3
• Cu : +1, +2

13.2.4: Ligands are molecules which donate an electron pair to form a

dative covalent bond with the central atom, forming a complex ion.

13.2.5: Complex ions are molecules which carry a charge. They are
formed around a central atom, with ligands (atoms or molecules)
donating an electron pair to form a covalent bond to this central atom.

[Fe(H2O)6]3+ : Fe is the central atom, H2O is the ligand.

[Fe(CN)6]3- : Fe is the central atom, CN is the ligand.
[CuCl4]3- : Cu is the central atom, Cl is the ligand.
[Ag(NH3)2]+ : Ag is central atom, NH3 is the ligand.

13.2.6: The color in the transition metals (d-block) is predominantly

due to the splitting of the d shell orbitals into slightly different energy
levels. As a result, certain wavelengths of energy can be absorbed by
the d-block elements (causing electrons to jump between these slightly
different energy levels), resulting in the complement color being
visible.

13.2.7: D-block elements make good catalysts due to their multiple

oxidation states. This gives them the ability to react with different
species and produce a path of lower activation energy, and so cause
the reaction to proceed at a faster rate. Many examples of these can
seen in the following examples.

2 H2O2(aq) O2(g) + 2 H2O(l)

2 SO2(g) + O2(g) 2 SO3(g)

SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

R2C=CR'2 R2CHCHR'2

2NO(g) N2(g) + O2(g)

2CO(g) + O2(g) CO2(g)

13.2.7: A suitable catalyst will make the reactions more efficient, as

they will proceed faster and consume less resources, making them
more cost effective.