Transition metals and their compounds are often good catalysts. ... Transition metals and their compounds function as catalysts either because of their ability to change oxidation state or, in the case of the metals, to adsorb other substances on to their surface and activate them in the process.

Why transition metals make good catalysts?

Transition metals are good metal catalysts because they easily lend and take electrons from other molecules. A catalyst is a chemical substance that, when added to a chemical reaction, does not affect the thermodynamics of a reaction but increases the rate of reaction.

Do transition metals show catalytic activity?

Transition metals show catalytic behaviour mainly due to the presence of vacant d orbitals, they have the ability to exhibit variable valencies and they have a tendency to form complex compounds.