Transition elements have an electronic configuration of (n-1)d1-10ns1-2. They form many coordination complexes due to their size, charge density, and vacant orbitals that can accept electrons from ligands. Transition metal ions are often paramagnetic due to their unpaired electrons. They also commonly act as catalysts due to their variable valencies and surface properties. Transition elements form interstitial compounds by trapping smaller atoms in their crystal lattices, and they can form alloys by substituting positions in each other's crystal lattices. Their compounds are often colored due to electron transitions within the d-orbitals that absorb and emit visible light.