Post-transition metals12 elements · the p-block
The post-transition metals sit between the transition metals and the metalloids: aluminium, gallium, indium, tin, thallium, lead, bismuth and several superheavy elements. They are softer, have lower melting points and are generally weaker than transition metals, and some show properties that edge towards the nonmetals. Aluminium, tin and lead are among the most useful metals in everyday life.
# Properties of post-transition metals
- Softer and lower-melting than transition metals
- Found in the p-block, to the lower left of the metalloid staircase
- Often form covalent as well as ionic compounds
- Include the everyday metals aluminium, tin and lead
# List of post-transition metals
| # | Symbol | Element | Atomic mass | Electron configuration | State at 25 °C | Melting point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Al | Aluminium | 26.982 | [Ne] 3s² 3p¹ | solid | 933.47 K |
| 31 | Ga | Gallium | 69.723 | [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹ | solid | 302.91 K |
| 49 | In | Indium | 114.82 | [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p¹ | solid | 429.75 K |
| 50 | Sn | Tin | 118.71 | [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p² | solid | 505.08 K |
| 81 | Tl | Thallium | 204.38 | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p¹ | solid | 577 K |
| 82 | Pb | Lead | 207.2 | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p² | solid | 600.61 K |
| 83 | Bi | Bismuth | 208.98 | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p³ | solid | 544.7 K |
| 84 | Po | Polonium | 209 | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴ | solid | 527 K |
| 113 | Nh | Nihonium | [286] | [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p¹ | predicted solid | 700 K |
| 114 | Fl | Flerovium | [289] | [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p² | predicted liquid | 200 K |
| 115 | Mc | Moscovium | [290] | [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p³ | predicted solid | 670 K |
| 116 | Lv | Livermorium | [293] | [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p⁴ | predicted solid | 709 K |
# Post-transition metals FAQ
Which elements are post-transition metals?
There are 12 post-transition metals in this table: Aluminium, Gallium, Indium, Tin, Thallium, Lead, Bismuth, Polonium, Nihonium, Flerovium, Moscovium, Livermorium.
Where are the post-transition metals on the periodic table?
The post-transition metals are found in the p-block, to the lower left of the metalloid staircase.
What are the properties of post-transition metals?
Softer and lower-melting than transition metals; Found in the p-block, to the lower left of the metalloid staircase; Often form covalent as well as ionic compounds; Include the everyday metals aluminium, tin and lead.