Question

The colour of transition metal compound is due to :

• A. complete $n-subshell$.
• B. small size metal ion.
• C. incomplete $(n-1)d-subshell$.
• D. none of these.

Answer 1

The correct option is C incomplete $(n-1)d-subshell$.

Usually the color of transition metal compound is due to d-d transition. When the d-level is not completely filled , it is possible to promote electron from a lower energy d-orbital to higher energy d-orbital by absorption of a photon of electromagnetic radiation having an appropriate energy.

Hence on the otherhand we can say that the color of transition metal is due to incomplete (n-1) d- subshell.