Formation of Alloys & Complex Compounds

Criteria / Trend:

$$\text{Alloy Formation Criteria: Difference in Metallic Radii } < 15\%$$

Concept: Transition metals readily form alloys because their atomic radii are very similar, allowing atoms of one transition metal to easily substitute for atoms of another in the crystal lattice. Transition metals also form numerous complexes due to their small ionic sizes, high nuclear charges, and availability of vacant d-orbitals to accept electron pairs from ligands.

Notation:

• Alloys = Solid solutions (e.g., Brass ($$\text{Cu} + \text{Zn}$$), Bronze ($$\text{Cu} + \text{Sn}$$), Stainless Steel ($$\text{Fe} + \text{Cr} + \text{Ni}$$))