Q51 / 120 · NEET 2012 (Mains) · Chemistry

The catalytic activity of transition metals and their compounds is ascribed mainly to

  • A
    their magnetic behaviour
  • B
    their unfilled $d$-orbitals
  • Correct answer
    C
    their ability to adopt variable oxidation states
  • D
    their chemical reactivity

Solution

Transition metals show variable oxidation states, due to which they can perform as catalyst. $$ \begin{aligned} & \text { e.g., } 2 \mathrm{SO}_2+\mathrm{O}_2 \underset{\text { (catalyst) }}{\stackrel{\mathrm{V}_2 \mathrm{O}_5}{\longrightarrow}} 2 \mathrm{SO}_3 \\ & \mathrm{SO}_2+\stackrel{+5}{\mathrm{~V}_2} \mathrm{O}_5 \longrightarrow \mathrm{SO}_3+\stackrel{+4}{\mathrm{~V}_2} \mathrm{O}_4 \\ & \stackrel{+4}{\mathrm{~V}_2} \mathrm{O}_4+\mathrm{O}_2 \longrightarrow \stackrel{+5}{\mathrm{~V}} \mathrm{~V}_5 \\ & \end{aligned} $$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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