---Trick &Tech---------------------- H.

~~iR~

IA Group- Alkali metal

1. Li, Na, 1(, Rb, Cs and Fr are s-block elements. These are collectively known as alkali
metals. These are so called because they form hydroxides on reaction with water which
are strongly alkaline in nature. Francium is highly radioactive.
2. General electronic configuration of these elements is [noble gas] nsl. Alkali metal
atoms have largest sizes in a particular period of the Periodic Table and their
ionization enthalpies are considerably low. Alkali metals and their salts impart
characteristic colour to an oxidising flame,
They are having flame test
Li~Crimeson

Na~golden yellow
K,Cs,Rb~ violet colour
3. Extraction of alkali metals: Alkali metals cannot be extracted by the usual methods
for the extraction of metals due to following reasons.
6) Alkali metals are strong reducing agents, hence cannot be extracted by reduction
of their oxides or other compounds.
4. Physical state: All are silvery white soft and light solids. These can be cut with the
help of knife except the lithium. When freshly cut, they have bright lustre which
quicldy tranishes due to surface oxidation.
6) These, are, therefore, kept under kerosene or paraffine oil to protect them from
air,
6) When burnt in air ( 2 ), lithium forms lithium oxide (Li 20) , sodium form sodium
peroxide (Na202) and other alkali metals form super oxide (M0 2 i.e. K0 2,
Rb0 2 or Cs0 2).
Li~Li20

Na~Na20and Na202
1(, Cs, Rb ~ K 20, K 20 2 & K0 2
6) The oxides of alkali metals and metal itself give strongly alkaline solution in
water with evolution of heat
Li20+H20~2LiOH; ~H=-ve

~H=-ve

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2K0 2 +2H20~2KOH+H202(l) +02(g); AH = -ve
5. Carbonates and Bicarbonates
e The carbonates (M 2C0 3) and bicarbonates (MHC0 3) are highly stable to heat,
where M stands for alkali metals.
e The stability of these salts increases with the increasing electropositive character
from Li to Cs. It is therefore Li 2C0 3 decompose on heating,
Li 2C0 3 ~ Li 20 + CO 2
e Bicarbonates are decomposed at relatively low temperature,
0

2MHC0 3 300 e )M 2C0 3 +H 20+C0 2

e Both carbonates and bicarbonates are soluble in water to give alkaline solution
due to hydrolysis of carbonates ions or bicarbonates ions.
e Carbonates of N a, 1(, Cs and Rb are stable and on heating No decomposition.
e Li is having ab normal behaviour due to small size and high -ve reduction
potential.
e Li is having digonal relation with Mg and reacts with O 2 and N2 directly.
Solubility in liquid NH3
e These metals dissolve in liquid NH3 to produce blue coloured solution, which
conducts electricity to an appreciable degree.
e With increasing concentration of ammonia, blue colour starts changing to that
of metallic copper after which dissolution of alkali metals in NH3 ceases.
e The metal atom is converted into ammoniated metal in i.e., M+ (NH3) and the
electron set free combines with NH3 molecule to produce ammonia solveted
electron.
Na + (x + y)NH3 ~[Na(NH3)x]+ + [e(NH 3)y]-

e It is the ammoniated electron which is responsible for blue colour, paramagnetic

nature and reducing power of alkali metals in ammonia solution. However, the
increased conductance nature of these metals in ammonia is due to presence of
ammoniated cation and ammonia solvated electron.
e The stability of metal ammonia solution decreases from Li to Cs.
e Concentrated Amonia solution is having bronze color and diamagnetic
behaviour.
---Trick &Tech---------------------- H.~~iR~
7. Li differs from other alkali metals in the following respects,
6) It is comparatively harder than other alkali metals. Li can't be stored in kerosene
as it floats to the surface, due to its very low density. Li is generally kept wrapped
in paraffin wax.
6) It can be melted in dry air without losing its brilliance.
6) Unlike other alkali metals, lithium is least reactive among all. It can be noticed
by the following properties,
6) Li 2S0 4 does not form alums like other alkali metals.
8. Sodium and its compounds
Ores of sodium: NaCI (common salt), NaNo 3 (chile saltpeter), Na 2S0 4.10H 20
(Glauber's salt) borax (sodium tetraborate or sodium borate, (Na28407.10H20)
Na 20 2 0xozone
Yellow color compound gives O 2 with CO 2
Na 20 2 +C0 2 ~Na2C03 +0 2
Na202 +H20~NaOH+H20
Na 20 2 +CO~Na2C03
Na202 +C0 2 ~Na2C03 + O 2

Reaction with Halogens

X 2 + 2NaOH( cold)~ NaX + NaXO + H20
sod. hypohalite

3X 2 +6NaOH(hot)~5NaX + NaX0 3 +3H 20

(sod. halate)

6) NaHC0 3 Sodium bicarbonate

Preparation Solvay process: In this process, brine (NaCI), NH3 and CO 2 are the raw
materials.
NH3 +C0 2 +H20~NH4HC03
Ammonium
bicarbonate

NH 4HC0 3 + NaCI 30C) NaHC0 3t +NH 4CI

Sodium
bicarbonate

2NH 4CI+Ca(OH)2 ~CaCI2 +2H 20+2NH 3

slaked
lime

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CaCI 2 so formed in the above reaction is a by product of solvay process.

KHC0 3 can not be prepared by this method because it is soluble in water.

Micro cosmic salt [ Na(NH 4 }HP0 4 .4H 20 ]- Prepared by dissolving equimolar

amounts of Na 2 HP0 4 and NH 4CI in water in 1:1 ratio followed by crystallization.
4H 20+ NH 4CI + Na2HP04 ~Na(NH4)HP04+ NaCI
crystallization

Micro cosmic salt is having bead test. NaP0 3 is micro cosmic bead.
9. Na is manufactured by the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride in presence of CaCI2
and I<F using graphite anode and iron cathode. [Down process].
10. Compounds of sodium: Sodium hydroxide, NaOH (caustic soda) is obtained by
using NaCI as starting material by mercury cathode process (Castner-I<ellner cell).
e Sodium carbonate, Na2C03 10H 20 (washing soda) is obtained by Solvay
process. In this process brine (NaCI), NH3 and CO 2 are used as raw materials.
e Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is obtained as the intermediate product in
Solvay process. It is used as a medicine to neutralise the acidity in the stomach
and in making effervescent drinks.
e Sodium thiosuiphate. Na2S2035H20 (hypo) is used in photography as a fixing
agent and as an antichior to remove excess of chlorine from bleached fabrics.
e Microcosmic salt, N a (NH4) HP0 4 is used for detection of coloured ions such as
Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ etc.
e Sodium sulphate, Na2S04 10H 20 is known as Glauber's salt.

Some Important Points

Chemical Reaction of Compounds

NaOH+P4 +H20~PH3 +NaH 2P0 2

Phosphene

NaOH CO) HCOONa

NaOH N02 ) NaN0 3 + NaN0 2

 Trick &Tech @ HELiOS
EDUCOI.E

S
NaOH ) Na 2S 20 3 + Na 2S

NaOH Sn ) Na 2Sn0 2

NaOH SnO ) Na2Sn02

Sn02
NaOH ) Na 2Sn0 3

NaOH Sn+H:20 ) Na2Sn03

e In last four reactions product is having same oxidation state of Sn as it was in

reactant side in Sn lowest oxidation i.e. + 2 and in Sn + H20 highest oxidation
number i.e. +4.
e KN0 3 indian salt peter, NaN0 3- Chili salt peter.
11. Compounds of potassium Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) is manufactured by
electrolysis of I<CI solution or by the action of lime on potassium carbonate.
e Potassium carbonate (potash or pearl ash) is manufactured by Le-blanc process
or by Precht process (Magnesia process).
e I<2C03, is used as a fusion mixture (mixture of Na2C03 and I<2C03 in
equimolar amount).
e The alkaline solution of I<2HgI4 is called Nessler's reagent. It is used for the
detection and estimation of NHt ion

e Gun powder is a mixture of I<N0 3 (75%), charcoal and sulphur.

II A Group Alkaline Earth Metal

1. Extraction of alkaline earth metals
e Be and Mg are obtained by reducing their oxides with carbon,
e BeO+C~Be+CO;MgO+C~Mg+CO

e The extraction of alkaline earth metals can also be made by the reduction of their
oxides by alkali metals or by electrolysing their fused salts.
2. Density: Density decreases slightly upto Ca after which it increases. The decreases in
density from Be to Ca might be due to less packing of atoms in solid lattice of Mg and
Ca.
3. Characteristics flame colours: The characteristic flame colour shown are: Ca-brick
red; Sr-crimson; Ba-apple green and Ra-crimson.

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M,~~iP.~ -----------------------Trick &Tech---
4. Hydrides: Except Be, all alkaline earth metals form hydrides (MH 2) on heating
directly with H2.
M+H2~MH2

5. Halides: The alkaline earth metals combine directly with halogens at appropriate
temperatures forming halides, MX 2. These halides can also be prepared by the action
of halogen acid (HX) on metals, metal oxides, hydroxides and carbonates.
BeO+C +C1 2 870-1070K) BeCI 2 +CO
e BeCI 2 is essentially covalent, the chlorides MgCI 2, CaCI 2, SrCI 2, and BaCI 2 are
ionic. The ionic character increases as the size of the metal ion increases.
e Beryllium chloride is soluble in organic solvents.
e The fluorides are relatively less solubility than the chlorides due to high lattice
energies. Except BeCI 2 and MgCI 2 the chlorides of alkaline earth metals impart
charaterisitics colours to flame.
e They are hydrated and hydrated nature decreases down the group.
Example:- BeCI 2.6H 20 but BaCI2 .2H 20
6. Structure ofBeCl 2: In the solid phase polymeric chain structure with three center two
electron bonding of with Be-CI-Be bridged structure is shown below.
202 Pm CI CI CI
5Be>Be~3P37Be<
CI CI CI
82

7. Solubility in liquid ammonia: Like alkali metals alkaline earth metals also dissolve
in liquid ammonia to form coloured solutions. When such a solution is evaporated,
hexammoniate, M(N H3 ) 6 is formed and properties are less effective.
e Sulphates are quite stable to heat howver reduced to sulphide on heating with
carbon.
MS0 4 +2C~MS+2C02
e Stability of any salt increases down the group.
BaSO 4 > CaSO 4 > MgSO 4 > BeSO 4
e Be and Mg form complex due to small size.
e Be is having amphoteric behaviour.
---Trick &Tech---------------------- H.~~iR~

The important alloys are: Magnalium - 95%AI }

e
5%Mg

Electron metal- 95% M9j

e 4.5% Zn
O.5%Cu

8. Cement: It is essentially a mixture of lie stone and clay. It is also called Portland
cement bacause in presence of water it sets to a hard stone-like mass resembing with
the famous Portland rock, a famous bulding stone of England. The approximate
composition of cement.
e Cement containing excess amount of lieme cracks during setting; while cement
containing less amount of lime is weak in strength.
e Cement with excess of silica is slow setting and that having an excess of alumina
is quick-setting.
e Cement containing no iron oxide is white but hard to burn.
9. The group 2 elements comprise Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra. The chemistry of alkaline
earth metals is very much like that of the alkali metals. However, some differences
arise because of reduced atomic and ionic sizes and increased cationic charges in case
of alkaline earth metals.
10. Magnesium is extracted from sea water by Dow's process or by electrolysis of MgCl 2
(35% MgCl 2 + 50% NaCI + 15% CaCI 2). The mixture is electrolysed in presence of
an inert gas to protect it from reaction of N 2, O 2 and CO 2 present in the air.
11. Compounds of magnesium: Magnesium sulphate, MgS0 4 .7H 20 is known as
epsom salt. It is obtained from magnesite or dolomite or from kieserite. it is used as
purgative in medicine and in dyeing and tanning process.
Magnesium chloride, MgCl 2 6H 20 occurs in nature as carnallite (I(Cl. MgCI2
.6H 20) and bischofite (MgCI 2 . H 20). It is used for making Sorel's cement (MgCI 2
.5MgO.XH2 0).
12. Calcium is extracted by electrolysis of a fused mixture of anhydrous 85% CaCl 2 and
15% I(CI in a graphite lined furnace.
13. Compounds of calcium: Calcium oxide (CaO) or quick lime or burnt lime is
prepared by decomposition of CaCO 3 at 800C.
Ca (OH) 2 is slaked lime, Paste of lime in water is called milk of lime while its clear
filtrate is known as lime water.

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M,~~iP.~ -----------------------Trick &Tech---
Mixture of calcium cyanamide and carbon is known as nitrolim. It is used as
nitrogenous fertilizer.
CaSO 4 . 2H 2 0 is known as gypsum. It. is known as alabaster.
Plaster of Paris (Calcium sulphate hemihydrate), CaS04. 2H 2 0 is obtained when
0
gypsum is heated at 120 C.
Portland cement is a dirty greyish heavy powder containing calcium aluminates and
silicates. It consists of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate and
tetra-calcium alumino ferrite.
Mg and Ca play vital role in biological reactions. The pigment chlorophyll which
contains magnesium absorbs sunlight in plants. Calcium occurs in animal bones as
phosphates. Ca 2+ ions involves in enzymatic systems, play roles in regulating muscle
contraction, transmitting nervous pulses and acts as an agent of blood coagulation.

Some Important Points

They form carbides.

Be2C,

Be 2C C---- ,

Mg 2C 3 C~--- -C:=C-C---

In CaC 2 Two Pi and one sigma

In Mg 2C 3 Two Pi and Two sigma.

e CaCN 2 + H20 ~Ca(OH)2 + NH 2CONH 2

Calcium cyanamide

e Gypsum on heating having the process as.\

CaS0 4 2H 20 ~ CaS0 4 + 2H 20 L1 ) CaS0 4 !H 20 L1 )

Gypsum (Monoclinic) Gypsum (ortho rombic) Plastes of Poris

CaS0 4 L1) CaO+S0 2 +0 2

Dead Plaster

e In case of hydroxide solubility in water increases down the group.

e In case of carbonates and sulphates solubility decreases down the group.
e CaC 2 + N2 ~CaCN2 +C (Nitrolim)
e It is used a Nitrogen Fixes

116
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