Question

Why Zinc is not regarded as a transition element?

Hint:

Transition metals typically have an incomplete d-orbital in their ground or common oxidation states, which is not the case for zinc.

Answer 1

Zinc is not regarded as a transition element because it does not have an incomplete d-orbital in its ground state or any of its common oxidation states. The electronic configuration of zinc is \( [Ar]\, 3d^{10}4s^2 \), and in its most stable oxidation state of \( +2 \), the configuration becomes \( [Ar]\, 3d^{10} \), which is a fully filled d-orbital. For an element to be considered a transition metal, it must have at least one incomplete d-orbital in either its ground state or common oxidation states. Zinc, therefore, does not exhibit the typical characteristics of transition metals such as variable oxidation states and colored complexes.
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