In the crystal structures of transition metals, small vacant sites known as interstitaila sites are present. These are occupied by atoms of samller element such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, boron etc. This leads to the formation of compounds known as interstitial compounds. The properties of these metals are somewhat different than the pure metals. For example, compound consisting of iron and carbon is harder than iron. Generally these compounds are less malleable and ductile but at the sametime have greater tensile strength than pure metals.
