The catalytic activity of transition metals and their compounds is ascribed mainly to
- their magnetic behaviour
- their unfilled d-orbitals
- their ability to adopt variable oxidation states
- their chemical reactivity
Answer
(3) their ability to adopt variable oxidation states
Solution
As per NCERT, the catalytic activity of transition metals and their compounds is attributed to their ability to adopt multiple (variable) oxidation states and to form complexes.
They form unstable intermediates with the reactants and change their oxidation state easily, providing a path of lower activation energy, e.g. Fe3+ catalyses the reaction between iodide and persulphate ions:
2Fe3+ + 2I- 2Fe2+ + I2
2Fe2+ + S2O82- 2Fe3+ + 2SO42-
Answer: (3)