What are interstitial compounds? Why are such compounds well known for transition metals?
When atoms (of elements) of very small size get trapped in the holes present in the metals, the compounds formed are known as interstitial compounds. The elements whose atoms get trapped can be hydrogen, carbon, or nitrogen. These types of compounds are very common in transition metals because the lattice formed in these metals have holes which can be two tetrahedral holes or one octahedral hole per atom. An element with smaller atomic radii either gets trapped or gets reacted with these transition metals and forms interstitial compounds. Due to the formation of interstitial compounds, the malleability and ductility of a metal decrease whereas the strength of metal increases. Final Answer Interstitial compounds are well known for transition metals because they have holes in their structure
