The elements, in the columns of the periodic table in which d subshells are being occupied are known as d block elements.
These are the elements that have the capability of forming stable cations with incompletely filled d orbitals. Elements like mercury and Zinc are not considered transition metals because they have electronic configurations: (n-1)d10 ns2. These elements have filled d-orbitals in their ground state and, therefore, even in some of their oxidation states.