Metals that are less reactive than alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals are called transition metals.

Here's why:

* Reactivity: Alkali metals (Group 1) and alkaline-earth metals (Group 2) are the most reactive metals. This is due to their relatively low ionization energies and their tendency to lose one or two electrons, respectively, to form positive ions.

* Transition Metals: Transition metals occupy the central block of the periodic table. They are less reactive than alkali and alkaline-earth metals because they have a more complex electron configuration, with electrons in both d and s orbitals. This leads to stronger metallic bonding and a lower tendency to lose electrons.

Examples of transition metals:

* Iron (Fe)

* Copper (Cu)

* Gold (Au)

* Nickel (Ni)

* Platinum (Pt)

While transition metals are generally less reactive than alkali and alkaline-earth metals, there are exceptions. For example, some transition metals like manganese (Mn) can be quite reactive.