Transitioning from one side of the table to another

In the center of the periodic table are the elements that transition from the s-block main group elements to the p-block main group elements. These elements are called the transition metals or d-block elements. The transition metals act as cushion between the highly reactive elements on the far left and the less reactive elements on the right. 

These elements are important for industry md help in the synthesis of organic molecules and medicinal compounds. You can find a number of them in the catalytic converter of your car, for example. 

Transitional metals are important because they re used as catalysts in the chemical industry. They re often reactive atoms, and under the appropriate conditions can complete reactions and make large amounts of molecules with a very specific size and shape. Much of the plastic materials that are in use today are made possible on such a grand and industrial scale thanks to the development of catalysis using transition metals. More information about catalysis can be found in Chapter 16. Catalysts make short work of specific chemical reactions they have the ability to create a product faster, and with less energy. 

Some of the reactions that take place in the body do so because of transition metals. For example, the oxygen that we breathe is carried around the body using a compound that has iron at the center. This is called hemoglobin. But the other transition metals can play important roles in the body also, for more information see Chapter 17. 

Many transition metals are used in everyday materials that we use regularly. These metals often have interesting electronic and magnetic properties, and because of this they re commonly used in electronic devices. But at the nanoscale (that being the very small scale), they have some other very interesting properties that can be harnessed. For more information about nanotechnology, check out Chapter 19. 

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