Post-transition metal

In chemistry, the term post-transition metal is used to describe the category of metallic elements to the right of the transition elements on the periodic table. There are two IUPAC definitions of "transition element" that have been in apparent conflict with one another since September 2007. According to the first definition, transition metals are elements in group 3 through group 11. In this case, post-transition metals include all of group 12—z... more

In chemistry, the term post-transition metal is used to describe the category of metallic elements to the right of the transition elements on the periodic table. There are two IUPAC definitions of "transition element" that have been in apparent conflict with one another since September 2007. According to the first definition, transition metals are elements in group 3 through group 11. In this case, post-transition metals include all of group 12—zinc, cadmium, mercury, and ununbium. According to the second definition, transition elements either have an incomplete d-subshell or have the ability to form an incomplete d-subshell. In 2007, mercury(IV) fluoride was synthesized. This compound contains a mercury atom with an incomplete d-subshell, and ununbium is predicted to have the capacity to form a similar electronic configuration. In this case, post-transition metals include only zinc and cadmium within group 12. This situation is illustrated by the element boxes colored gray to the... less