Element category
Post-transition metals
The post-transition metals sit in the p-block between the transition metals and the metalloids. They are genuine metals, but softer and lower melting than the transition metals, with weaker metallic bonding and some covalent character in their compounds. Gallium, for example, melts just above room temperature.
At a glance
- Elements
- 7
- Atomic numbers
- 13 to 83
- Block
- p-block
- Periods
- 3, 4, 5, 6
- Phase at STP
- solid (7)
Shared properties
- Softer and lower melting than the transition metals to their left
- Fixed, mostly lower oxidation states rather than the variable states of the d-block
- Show some covalent character and form amphoteric oxides in several cases
- Include everyday structural and alloying metals such as aluminium, tin and lead