IUPAC defines transition metal as an element whose atom has an incomplete d-sub shell or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d-sub shell. They occupy the central position of the periodic table, between s and p-block elements.
Examples: Fe, Cu, Ag, Au

a. 3MnO₄^2- + 4H⁺ ⟶  2MnO₄^- + MnO₂ + 2H₂O
(Manganate ion) (Permanganate ion)  Manganese dioxide
b. C₆H₅CH₃ \(\overset { acidified }{ \underset { KMnO_{ 4 } }{ \longrightarrow } } \) C₆H₅COOH
 Toluene                         Benzoic Acid
c. 2MnO₄^- + 10Fe²⁺+16H⁺ \(\underrightarrow { { 8H }^{ + } } \)  2Mn²⁺+ 10Fe³⁺  + 8H₂O
d. 2KMnO₄ \(\overset { \triangle }{ \underset { Red\ hot }{ \longrightarrow } } \) K₂MnO₄ + MnO₂ + O₂
(Potassium Permanganate)    (Potassium Manganate)
e. Cr₂O₇^2- + 6I^- + 14H⁺ \(\underrightarrow { { (O) }}\) 2Cr³⁺ + 3I₂ + 7H₂O
                 (Iodide ion)                        Iodine
f. Na₂Cr₂O₇ + 2KCl ⟶ K₂Cr₂O₇ + 2NaCl
(Sodium dichromate)    (Potassium dichromate)

Lanthanoid contraction:
As we move across 4f series, the atomic and ionic radii of lanthanoids show gradual decrease with increase in atomic number. This decrease in ionic size is called lanthanoid contraction.
Effects (consequence) of lanthanoid contraction:
1. Basicity difference:
As we move from Ce³⁺ to Lu³⁺, the basic character of Ln³⁺ ions decrease. Due to the decrease in the size of Ln³⁺ ions, the ionic character of Ln -OH bond decreases (covalent character increases) which results in the decrease in the basicity.
2. Similarities among lanthanoid:
In the complete f - series only 10 pm decrease in atomic radii and 20 pm decrease in ionic radii is observed because of this very small change in radii of lanthanoids, their chemical properties are quite similar.
3. The elements of the second and third transition series resemble each other more closely than the elements of the first and second transition series.

Potassium dichromate is prepared from chromate ore (FeCr₂O₄). The ore is concentrated by gravity separation. It is then mixed with excess sodium carbonate and lime and roasted in a reverberatory furnace.

The roasted mass is treated with water to separate soluble sodium chromate from insoluble iron oxide. The yellow solution of Sodium Chromate is treated with concentrated Sulphuric acid which converts Sodium Chromate into Sodium dichromate.

The saturated solution of sodium dichromate is mixed with KCl and filtered, the filtrate is cooled to obtain K₂Cr₂O₇ crystals.
\(\begin{array}{cc} \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}+2 \mathrm{KCl} & \rightarrow \mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}+2 \mathrm{NaCl} \\ \begin{array}{c} \text { Sodium dichromate } \\ \text { (orange red) } \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { Potassium dichromate } \\ \text { (orange red) } \end{array} \end{array}\)

The oxidation states of 4d metals vary from +3 for Y to +8 for Ru and Os.
The highest oxidation state of 4d elements are found in their compounds with the higher electronegative elements like O, F & Cl.
Example: In RuO₄, OsO₄ & WCl₆
The oxidation state of Ru and Os is +8.
The oxidation state of W is +6.
Generally in going down a group, a stability of higher oxidation state increases while that of lower oxidation state decreases.
4d series (5^th period) - Yttrium to Cadmium (10 elements)

Elements	Oxidation states
Y	+3
Zr	+3, +4
Nb	+2, +3, +4, +5
Mo	+2, +3, +4, +5, +6
Tc	+2, +4, +5, +7
Ru	+2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7 +8
Rh	+2, +3, +4, +6
Pd	+2, +3, +4
Ag	+1, +2, +3
Cd	+2