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AQA A-Level Chemistry 7405
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewFundamental ParticlesMass Number and IsotopesTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Ionisation and AccelerationTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Drift, Detection and Calculating m/zElectron Configuration: Sub-shells and OrbitalsElectron Configuration: Writing Configurations for Atoms and IonsIonisation Energies and Periodic Trends
Amount of Substance
Topic overviewRelative Atomic and Molecular MassThe Mole and the Avogadro ConstantThe Ideal Gas EquationEmpirical and Molecular FormulaBalanced Equations and Reaction CalculationsAtom Economy and Percentage YieldAcid-Base Titrations: Principles, Indicators and ApparatusAcid-Base Titrations: Standard Solutions and Calculations
Bonding
Topic overviewIonic BondingCovalent, Dative Covalent and Metallic BondingCrystal Structures: Giant Ionic Lattices and DiamondCrystal Structures: Graphite and Simple Molecular SolidsShapes of Molecules and Ions: VSEPR and Electron Pair RepulsionShapes of Molecules and Ions: Predicting Shapes and Bond AnglesElectronegativity and Bond PolarityIntermolecular Forces
Energetics and Thermodynamics
Kinetics
Topic overviewCollision Theory and Activation EnergyMaxwell-Boltzmann Distribution and the Effect of TemperatureEffect of Concentration and Pressure, and CatalystsRate Equations: The Rate Equation and Orders of ReactionRate Equations: The Effect of Concentration on RateThe Rate Constant and the Arrhenius EquationDetermining Rate Equations: The Initial Rates MethodDetermining Rate Equations: Continuous MonitoringRate Equations and Reaction Mechanisms
Chemical Equilibria
Redox and Electrochemistry
Topic overviewRedox: Definitions and the Rules for Oxidation StatesRedox: Identifying Oxidation and Reduction in a ReactionHalf-Equations and Combined Redox EquationsStandard Electrode Potentials and the Hydrogen ElectrodeElectrochemical Cells and EMF CalculationsPredicting Redox Reactions from Electrode PotentialsCommercial Cells and Fuel Cells
Acids and Bases
Periodicity and Group Chemistry
Topic overviews, p, d and f Block ClassificationTrends in Period 3Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting PointReactions of Group 2 with WaterSolubility Trends of Group 2 HydroxidesSolubility Trends of Group 2 SulfatesUses of Group 2 CompoundsTest for Sulfate IonsTrends in Electronegativity and Boiling Point of HalogensHalogens as Oxidising Agents and Displacement ReactionsHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Chloride and BromideHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Iodide, and the EquationsTest for Halide Ions Using Silver NitrateTests for Ammonium, Group 2, Hydroxide and Carbonate IonsReactions of Chlorine with WaterReactions of Chlorine with Cold Dilute NaOH and Water Treatment
Period 3 Elements and Their Oxides
Topic overviewReactions of Na and Mg with WaterPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: The Oxides Formed and Their BondingPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: Structures and Oxidation StatesMelting Points of Period 3 OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: Sodium and Magnesium OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: The Acidic Oxides and the pH TrendPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: The ReactionsPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: Acidic, Basic and Amphoteric
Transition Metals
Topic overviewGeneral Properties of Transition MetalsComplex Ions: Ligands, Coordinate Bonds and DenticityComplex Ions: Why a Species Can Act as a Ligand, and Coordination NumberSubstitution Reactions with Monodentate LigandsSubstitution Reactions with Bidentate and Multidentate LigandsHaemoglobin and the Chelate EffectShapes of Complex Ions and StereoisomerismFormation of Coloured Ions and the d-d TransitionColorimetry and Concentration DeterminationVariable Oxidation States and Vanadium ChemistryTollens' Reagent and Redox TitrationsHeterogeneous CatalysisVanadium(V) Oxide and the Contact ProcessHomogeneous Catalysis and AutocatalysisMetal-Aqua Ions and AcidityMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Reactions with Hydroxide and AmmoniaMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Why They React, and Their EquationsAmphoteric HydroxidesIdentifying Transition Metal Ions by Test-Tube Reactions
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Topic overviewAlkanes, Fractional Distillation and CrackingCombustion of Alkanes and PollutantsFree Radical Chlorination of AlkanesAlkenes: Structure, Bonding and Electrophilic AdditionMarkovnikov's Rule and Carbocation StabilityAddition Polymers and Repeating UnitsProperties and Uses of Polyalkenes
Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic Analysis
Topic overviewNucleophilic Substitution of HalogenoalkanesEffect of Bond Enthalpy on Reaction RateElimination Reactions and Competing MechanismsCFCs and Ozone DepletionIndustrial Production of AlcoholsBiofuels and Carbon NeutralityClassification and Oxidation of AlcoholsDistinguishing Aldehydes and KetonesElimination of Water from AlcoholsTest-Tube Reactions for Functional GroupsMass Spectrometry and Molecular FormulaInfrared Spectroscopy, Functional Groups and Global Warming
Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Topic overviewOxidation of Aldehydes and Distinguishing TestsReduction of Carbonyls with NaBH4Nucleophilic Addition with KCN and Hydroxynitrile FormationHazards of KCN and Formation of EnantiomersStructure and Acidity of Carboxylic AcidsEsterification and the Uses of EstersVegetable Oils, Fats and the Hydrolysis of EstersSoap and Biodiesel Production from FatsStructure of Acid Anhydrides, Acyl Chlorides and AmidesNucleophilic Addition-Elimination Reactions of Acyl ChloridesAcid Anhydrides and the Industrial Synthesis of AspirinPurifying organic solids and liquids
Aromatic Chemistry and Amines
Topic overviewBonding and Stability of BenzeneElectrophilic Substitution: NitrationElectrophilic Substitution: Friedel-Crafts AcylationPreparation of Aliphatic and Aromatic AminesBase Strength of AminesAmines as Nucleophiles, and Quaternary Ammonium SaltsAmines with Acyl Chlorides and Acid Anhydrides
Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
Topic overviewCondensation Polymers: PolyestersCondensation Polymers: PolyamidesIntermolecular Forces in Condensation PolymersBiodegradability and Disposal of PolymersAmino Acids and ZwitterionsPeptide Bonds and Protein StructureHydrogen Bonding and Disulfide Bridges in ProteinsHydrolysis of Proteins and TLC IdentificationEnzymes, Active Sites and Inhibitors in Drug DesignDNA: Nucleotides, the Double Helix and Base PairingCisplatin and Anticancer Drug Action
Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography
Topic overviewMulti-Step Synthesis RoutesGreen Chemistry Principles in Synthesis DesignPrinciples of NMR and the Delta ScaleCarbon-13 NMR InterpretationProton NMR Chemical Shift and IntegrationSpin-Spin Splitting and the n+1 RuleTMS and Deuterated SolventsThin-Layer Chromatography and Rf ValuesColumn and Gas Chromatography, and GC-MS
Transition Metals
- 19 subtopics
- 57 things to know
- Papers 1 and 3
What Transition Metals covers
Transition metals is examined on Papers 1 and 3, and is the longest topic in the specification. It explains what makes a transition metal, then works through complex ions and their shapes, colour and colorimetry, variable oxidation states, catalysis, and the reactions used to identify metal ions.
Where it is assessed
Papers 1 and 3
Inorganic and physical chemistry, then the synoptic paper.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 19 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- General Properties of Transition MetalsThe partly filled d sub-shell, and the four characteristic properties that follow from it.Open →
- Complex Ions: Ligands, Coordinate Bonds and DenticityComplex ions and coordinate bonding, and monodentate, bidentate and multidentate ligands.Open →
- Complex Ions: Why a Species Can Act as a Ligand, and Coordination NumberThe lone pair that lets a species act as a ligand, coordination number, and the shapes complexes take.Open →
- Substitution Reactions with Monodentate LigandsWater, ammonia and chloride ligands, and why coordination number changes with chloride.Open →
- Substitution Reactions with Bidentate and Multidentate LigandsBidentate and multidentate ligands, and the equations for their substitution.Open →
- Haemoglobin and the Chelate EffectOxygen transport by haemoglobin, carbon monoxide toxicity, and the entropy behind the chelate effect.Open →
- Shapes of Complex Ions and StereoisomerismOctahedral, tetrahedral, square planar and linear shapes, and the cis-trans and optical isomerism they allow.Open →
- Formation of Coloured Ions and the d-d TransitionSplitting of the d sub-shell, the d-d transition, and what changes the colour.Open →
- Colorimetry and Concentration DeterminationUsing a filter and a calibration curve to find the concentration of a coloured solution.Open →
- Variable Oxidation States and Vanadium ChemistryWhy d-block elements show several oxidation states, and the colours of the vanadium species.Open →
- Tollens' Reagent and Redox TitrationsTollens' reagent as a test for aldehydes, and manganate(VII) titrations.Open →
- Heterogeneous CatalysisAdsorption on the surface, support media, and why catalysts are poisoned.Open →
- Vanadium(V) Oxide and the Contact ProcessThe two steps by which V₂O₅ catalyses sulfur trioxide formation.Open →
- Homogeneous Catalysis and AutocatalysisCatalysis through an intermediate, and autocatalysis by Mn²⁺.Open →
- Metal-Aqua Ions and AcidityHexaaqua ions, why 3+ ions are more acidic than 2+ ions, and the hydrolysis equilibrium.Open →
- Metal Aqua Ions with Bases: Reactions with Hydroxide and AmmoniaAdding sodium hydroxide or ammonia to metal aqua ions, and the precipitates and colours that identify them.Open →
- Metal Aqua Ions with Bases: Why They React, and Their EquationsWhy an aqua ion reacts with a base as an acid, and the equations for the iron and copper aqua ions with hydroxide ions and with ammonia.Open →
- Amphoteric HydroxidesWhich hydroxides dissolve in both acid and excess alkali, and the equations.Open →
- Identifying Transition Metal Ions by Test-Tube ReactionsWorking from precipitate colour and behaviour in excess reagent to name the ion.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Why can an octahedral complex containing three bidentate ligands, such as [Cr(en)₃]³⁺ where en is 1,2-diaminoethane, exhibit optical isomerism?
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What feature of atoms or ions gives rise to the characteristic properties of transition metals from Ti to Cu?
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Which four characteristic properties are exhibited by transition metals?
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What is a complex ion?
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What is a ligand?
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Why can water act as a ligand?
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Why can ammonia act as a ligand?
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What happens to the coordination number when chloride ions replace water molecules in a hexaaqua complex?
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What is a bidentate ligand?
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What is a multidentate ligand?
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What is the role of haemoglobin in the body?
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What type of ligand is the haem group in haemoglobin?
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What shapes can complex ions with coordination number 4 adopt?
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Why do transition metal complexes appear coloured?
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What is a d-d transition?
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What is colorimetry used to determine in the context of transition metal chemistry?
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What instrument is used to measure the absorbance of coloured solutions in colorimetry?
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What electron configuration feature allows transition metals to form multiple oxidation states?
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What is the most common oxidation state for transition metals?
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What is Tollens' reagent?
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What is the active component in Tollens' reagent responsible for the oxidation?
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What is a heterogeneous catalyst?
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In heterogeneous catalysis, what is the relationship between the physical state of the catalyst and the reactants?
Process
In the Contact process, what type of catalyst is vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅)?
Process
Which industrial process uses vanadium(V) oxide as a catalyst to manufacture sulfuric acid?
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What is meant by homogeneous catalysis?
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In homogeneous catalysis, what phase relationship exists between the catalyst and the reactants?
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What type of ion is formed when a transition metal ion bonds with water molecules in aqueous solution?
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Why do metal-aqua ions behave as acids in aqueous solution?
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What happens when a metal aqua ion reacts with a base such as sodium hydroxide or ammonia?
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When sodium hydroxide is added to a solution containing [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺, what is the initial product formed?
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What type of reaction occurs when a base removes H⁺ from a metal aqua ion?
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In the reaction of metal aqua ions with bases, what acts as the acid?
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Which metal hydroxide in the reactions of metal-aqua ions is amphoteric?
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Why does aluminium hydroxide dissolve in excess sodium hydroxide while iron(III) hydroxide does not?
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What colour precipitate forms when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a solution containing Fe³⁺ ions?
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Why does iron(II) hydroxide change colour when exposed to air?
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Why do scandium and zinc not exhibit typical transition metal properties?
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What feature must a species possess to act as a ligand?
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Why can chloride ions act as ligands?
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Why does the coordination number change when chloride ions replace water molecules in a hexaaqua complex?
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Give an example of a bidentate ligand.
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How many nitrogen atoms in the haem group coordinate to the iron ion?
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What type of stereoisomerism can occur in octahedral complexes?
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What happens to electrons during a d-d transition?
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What is the relationship between absorbance and concentration for coloured solutions?
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Which oxidation states does vanadium commonly exhibit?
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What is observed in a positive Tollens' test?
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What is the role of the catalyst surface in heterogeneous catalysis?
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Write the equation for the first catalytic step, in which vanadium(V) oxide oxidises sulfur dioxide.
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Why can transition metal ions act as homogeneous catalysts?
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What happens to a water ligand when a metal-aqua ion acts as an acid?
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What colour precipitate forms when sodium hydroxide is added to iron(II) aqua ions?
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When sodium hydroxide is added to [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺, what is the initial product formed?
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Write the equation for aluminium hydroxide acting as an acid with excess hydroxide ions, showing the water ligands.
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What colour precipitate forms when aqueous ammonia is added to a solution containing Fe³⁺ ions?
Take Transition Metals further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
A homogeneous catalyst vs A heterogeneous catalyst
A homogeneous catalyst: one in the same physical state as the reactants. A heterogeneous catalyst: one in a different physical state, on whose surface the reaction occurs.
Homogeneous catalyst vs Heterogeneous catalyst
Homogeneous catalyst: a catalyst in the same phase as the reactants. Heterogeneous catalyst: a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants.
Ligand vs Complex ion
Ligand: an electron-pair donor forming a coordinate bond to a metal ion. Complex ion: a charged metal centre surrounded by coordinate-bonded species.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What feature of atoms or ions gives rise to the characteristic properties of transition metals from Ti to Cu?
Model answer
A partially filled d sub-level in the atom or its ions
- 2
Which four characteristic properties are exhibited by transition metals?
Model answer
Complex formation, formation of coloured ions, variable oxidation state, and catalytic activity
- 3
Why do scandium and zinc not exhibit typical transition metal properties?
Model answer
Scandium ions have an empty d sub-level (d⁰) and zinc ions have a full d sub-level (d¹⁰), so neither has an incomplete d sub-level
- 4
What is a ligand?
Model answer
A molecule or ion that donates an electron pair to a transition metal, forming a coordinate bond
- 5
What is a complex?
Model answer
Ligands grouped around a single central metal atom or ion
- 6
What is coordination number?
Model answer
The number of coordinate bonds to the central metal atom or ion
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Transition Metals revision questions
- What does Transition Metals cover in AQA A-Level Chemistry?
- 19 subtopics: general properties of transition metals, complex ions: ligands, coordinate bonds and denticity, complex ions: why a species can act as a ligand, and coordination number, substitution reactions with monodentate ligands, substitution reactions with bidentate and multidentate ligands, haemoglobin and the chelate effect, shapes of complex ions and stereoisomerism, formation of coloured ions and the d-d transition, colorimetry and concentration determination, variable oxidation states and vanadium chemistry, tollens' reagent and redox titrations, heterogeneous catalysis, vanadium(v) oxide and the contact process, homogeneous catalysis and autocatalysis, metal-aqua ions and acidity, metal aqua ions with bases: reactions with hydroxide and ammonia, metal aqua ions with bases: why they react, and their equations, amphoteric hydroxides and identifying transition metal ions by test-tube reactions. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Transition Metals organised?
- By the AQA 7405 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Transition Metals, on a schedule.
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