Unit': l'0

The group..t elements are

of groups l zare known as s:block.elenients.
The elernents
couectiverv known
t:1,,t-:-T""X':kffiffi ili!:i3;"i"i:;\^{;'tri:#
-and
*.'tFiii'*it*
They.are rn
Franciunt'
i"iiil"*," c"esium and
(2'3Fr' haif
;;;;;il;. which are strong bases or alkalies" Francium is radioactive'
abundant. Francium
il*iuts, uoaiu* ^raccirrnl are abundant'
and potassium
Among tt uruali
"
life:21 *i"uJO
*nt' **as'
Theelementsofgroup2areBeryltium,Magnesi,!,,C:.!:::,strontium,BariumaodRadium.
known
This is
with th.-;f;;;"; of beryliium ui" ^'' 't*'iitiii't'
in earth's crust'
These elements "oir*onrv abundant
because their oxides and
trvdroxides are alkalin#;;;iare

uissolq}ffi or s-brock and p-brock eremqlts Sxrriuit Lle;n{-TXIHI'X tfiff Ti$'#lil

ot e*up'i'"*f,ltJ,m'lli*n*'*'ff,tffilnT,"r'l,Jl''ffiiiiir uo'o'' and silicon'
are (r) Lltnluru arru urosrlvur*''
I
diag,cnal pairs

LiU\*\C
\ \\
Na Mg Al sr
tatios af tbe
tlue to sirnilaril\t in ionic sizes anrl or charge/radius
I.he diagonal relationsirip is
elenrcnls-

"'ill;:il';?:o:x*'"Tfl fi
':li;,?#-#f t'l::ii:#:'?i'"ill;
'Ihe nropetlies of these *tttll'i'*]'ti,""i.,"."t aftributed to
,espectio" group. f .*h group
i"it.' i"' "rii'i'i',*f"it1"t-nr i"tr t"t''
,,oup czur be
r*slectivc
'--'iit sroups Thi'';';;*'l;"
Slnaller size oItheir irloms
iiil Thcir higlie. ionisrti.n unerg'ies
itii, Ttreir hilner elect.-rnegativities .
fi;;;;ti.#;itals in thei.ralenceshells'
(iv) Atrsence

ALI{ALLNTEIS
G eneralJQharaqt$ristits

(l : where n: 2 to 7
Ettect?ttF:i1*fiiiNt#;iic metals is f]ioble gasl ns''
configLrrati'n of alkali
The generat elcctturrrL L\rrrtisu'q-"'--

Wlrmetaisiravethelargestsizeirrtlreirrespectivepcriods.'],henrottovalentions
The atoms or I moving down the group'
;;l; 'aall in""u'! on energv
;i';;t;;;; atorn' rhe shetls'
(M') are smaller 'l'*
*ouin! lo*n tt,* "'iln;il;;;';;;l;; "ooition of nerry
g.o,'o ,l.,*rJl';';
rhis is because on

eatrkalimetalsareconsiderab1ylow,However,withinthe
g,.,,p,,'l'i#rt**1il*::ffi*rl;:i:ii{li:t*:."::.#;",:.i,:1"fl:.ll.J:i:,:.,xl'",[ff:
ancl experience a less
*ott* oto;;;;t"h;
u**y'tio,i'rrr*'*rr"l*u* ;"* increases hence the
elecrrons are far on moving down the group'
I

these electrons can be;;i;';;*"'eri' group'

;;;;;-til energies decrease down the
1
,'LMffi,aretypica1meta1s.Theilletaliiccharacterofane1ementisitstendancytoiosethe
and
elements have sffong tendancy to lose electrons
valence electrcn. Due to iow ionisation energy, these also increases down
the group' metaliic charactel
hence are typical nretals, Since the size increases down
the group"

5) O-ridution slate
Alk"li ,*tals exhibit +1 oxi<.lation state in their eor.npounds.
Ivl -' M* + e-
- fNoble gas] nsr [Noble gas]
gas configuration' Thus these
By losing one electron, alkali metals acquire the stable noble
compounds'
elements have strotrg tendancy to form the M* ir:ns in their

,,...:TG
6) ttydratfutn enthalot
hydr"t,* enthalpies of alkali nretal ions decreases in the order
Li* > Na" > I{> Rb+ > cs"
saits are nrostly liydrated'
Li*has maxinrum degree of hydration and there{ore lithium
7) Elame coktur an oxirlising fiame'
to
The alkali rnetais and their salts irnpart characterisric colours
[,i -- Crimson Nq + Yellow 1( + Violet
Rb -- Red vicrlet Cs *' Blue'

Whenenergvissuppliedtotheseelenrents,theelectronintheirvalenceshellsgetexcitedto
ground states' they emit energy in the form of
higher energy levels. Whil they jump Lrack to their
radiations which fall in the visible rogion'

gL l!!4g-eleqlri99fu! ,.:_ ^ra"^^+ "rl^i- io ,r.ra +n their. l.rru values of ionisation

AlkalimetalsexceptLi,exhibitphotoeleclriceftbct."Ihisisclrretotheirlolvvalueso
to ejeet c:lectron fiom atotns of these metals'
energies . The energy #itr.iia"ri pfroton is ,utt*i*n,

g) nensitv. m is liglrter
r ..., ._^-r j-.*.--c.r ..inr,. ih. or,
The<iesitiesofalkalimeta]sarelowarrdincreasedowrrthegroup.Florveverpotasslu
than sodium. t,ithium is the iightest nretal'
large aromic size and rveak metallic bond'
The low d*n.i;y";f ;lilii metats is attril,,Litecl to their'

til Lteltins an{t boilingooinh .lhe nelting .r-..r d<rwn the group" Due to
*.,i-r decreases
..- -rr:^^ point their
Alkali metais have lorv rrlelting points,
crystal lattice are 1ow' On moving down the group'
larger size the binding;nergies of theii atorrrs lr., the
theiratomicsizeincreasesandstrengtlrol.nretallicbonddecreaseslvhichcausestlecreasesilrmelring
points.

1I}So|tMetatsAlkaiimetalsaresoftatldcanLlecutlviththe}relpofknife.softllesscrfalkaiirrretalsis
aloms'
;ffi"k *-t"llio bonding in them because of large size of the

grnlca!-BropP-rties
Ch
of alkali metals is due to their (i) low
Alkali metals are highly reactive elements' The reactivity
value of first ionisation enetgi ti;l large size (iii) 1ow heat of atomizatiou

Wnishinairduetothefor.nlationofoxideswhichinturnreactswithmoistureto
no.rmal oxides' Li20' sodium fornrs
peroxide
form hydroxides. On .o,rrir.tion in excess -it; ;il;;i;ms MOz,general fonnula
Na202, whereas p"'*,,i,,,1, .ur,idiurn and ouesiur,, forrn super oxides har,ing

4 Li r- O: -+ 2 LizO lLithiunr oxide)

2
 2 Na - Cz 4 N*2{o2 $odit'trn peroxirle) ,

K + Oz + KO2 (Potassium supetoxide)

Lithium alsc, reacts with nitrogen to form iithium nitride Li3N.
kept in ker'osenq'
aotcause of lrigh-reacti'it)' CIfiikaii m'etqlxLith oir-arA-yaeuleysre!9nn(tllv

(2) Reac,ivityJlgwut4q hv drps e'!:$!WbU!es I

The alkali ,rr"t"ffi*n at about 67ll K to tbrm hydrides.
21\{ + H2 -i
2N'{t{
of hydrides
'lhe alkali rretal hydrides are ionic solids with high meltiug points' The stab-iiity to form
.i.orrg redti;ing -ginl' They react with water
decreases fiorn Li to Cs. These hydrid". u." i'n'
present as hydride ( H1
corresponding hydroxifi. tn t y*.iA"r hydrogen is
LiH I- H2O * l-iOH -i- lI2
lrlall + HzO * NaOH '+ Hz

$ ) & aslLlji&Jlewx!&w at e r
The alkali nretfiffiact with water to form hyeiro.xides and dihydrogen'
2M -f 2F120 2MO[1 +
Ha
fronil-i
-
to Cs. This Leactiin is exothe,nic and released
hydrogen catches fire'
The reactivity increases

Wr<ltrs1yreactwithha1ogenstotbrmi9Il9-hdljd9;.Theeaseofformationof
hatides increases ftom Li to Cs.
2M-1-X;+ZMX
H@owew]1g!.9svq!e-4t.Thisisdue'tothehighpolarizationcapabilityof
1it}riumion.Due,ou..yffinr.iencytodistorte1eitroncloudarotrndnegative
halide ion.

5j, Sotubttitu in liautd alt?mont*'

Alkalimetatsrtrissolleintiquidammonia'"-l]}redilutesolutiorrsareb}ueccilouredandthecolour
presence of solvated
changes to brc,nze *ith incr"u.s" in concentrati"". ii-,- biue coiour is drte to the
electrons. *+
Ivl + (x + y) NH3 -+ []vl (N]{3):rl [e(N]I3)yl-

are bound by the free unpaired electrons'

lt is called
ln concentrated solutions, the ammoniated rnetal ions solutions are
,expanded metnln. The blue solutions o." p*'u*ognetic whereas the brotrze coloured
slowely liberates
the blue solution
diamagnetic . -l.he
solution shows electrical "oniu.iorL.. on standing
hyrlrogen and fonns metal amide'
2M + 2NI{3 * 2MNH2 + H2
Metal amide
6) Rgdacwxnqtule
character inoreases froln sodium to
Alkali metal$ afe strong rerltlcing agcnts. The reducing
agent aln-ong qlkalircral':
caesiurn. H.qry".ier titlrirril*ffru-ir*gttl*d*i4g
. The E" vah.res 'Jepend on flre d#fr*;;JT"' 't"tli*ation' ionisrrtion and hydration
enthalpies.
114651 + lvlig) sublimation enthalpy
Mid -* NII(g) + e" ionsationenthalpy
l,t-"tgl + HrO *' M* (aq) hydration enthalpy

hydration $nthaipy which accounts for its

With the small size of its ion. lithium hac the higtrest
high negative E" value and its reducing power'

J
 lorms peroxide F'azo!'
tti oxidclttttt!.,*:lt::{ticxccss norm.ri oxiclus' Li;o' soditun
On comiltlsilot air. liih,unr forms
t'uoillg ge"e'u1 t-o''t'111i'a
\'1Or'
.,vtrereas potassium. ,r,bi,1i;;;;""uriiu,, f"r*'i*po "'*a*t .., " r1,li

--)
-: 2 Li?O (Liiltiwn axitle)
4 Li +. c):.
2Na +Ol 'no:o, lsnai um Perr'sitl") '
I(+02 -t l(Or {Polas'sittm su?er(}xtual
1"fu15: r$

through Iattice ensrgy effects

drie to tlie stgbilization of
lu ge rruions bY iatge cations
rtirt*r ibrm the trydroxides.
by t<r
These oxides are easilY hyclrolYsetl

M2O + lt?O *+ 2M* '' 20H-

?\'1' -t- 2Ot1-+ 0z
\{2Or ' 2H20 -+ ':-:t'1' n 2Ol{-+ f{ro? +{)2'
2 tu102 -'- :Hrr:i*
yeltow oI orange
but t]:e super oxides are
.lhe oxirles nrlr] the peroxici*s aro cr:lourless when 1trre,
good oxidising
r;oioured. are patarnagnetic' sodittm peroxide is a
while strperoxicies
The peroxicl*s are dianiagnetic 'rirev are whire crvstarrine sorids
;:;'ffi'il:;,;il;:l*:l*.rk^ii rnetats n":::l::-*":i:lfii'';X3,Tort i.rtreases in going down
thc
;;;.""irr. iru*i" ;l"ii **'or
''vo'o*iJ*i
They a.r: strongest .-,f
^li "h.r;:l--'*f
srotrp Liolr < r.i{rH-:#l#;,:::X j t:'..^._.-k

They easily clissol'e i' "'#i*i'f''*t'r'iui"* *i'it"i' iretrt due interrst'h-vdration'

coiourless' lrigh
fur*g#u^Li ro form metal haiicles' Tirese are ionic'
nictals courl:ine rvith harogens N{X'
the generJ formula
mehing cr)'stallirie '"1id;;;i;;
2fu1 + X:: *+ 2 N4X
2 Na -r Ci? -* 2NaCi

rls!{(!I{) ttorn l-i to Cs'

paltiritlar tiaiogen incre*ses
'lhe rcaclivitY of alkuii nretnls vliih
lattic* cnsrsY'
,x,x1s1. '{'he 10rv solubiliq'* of LiF- is due to its high
,lgble in
A ll tirese halides are so hYdration cnergy of
its tltro ions"
Csl is drie sutller
But lhe low solubilitY of
tq>

and
gfu*---"t*ffi;ffis form salts rvith al1 rhe.o-xoacids" For exarnPle they tbrm carbonater'(lv{2cor)
itrermati;' stable' rhe
t'h-;;;;i,-ar* sotuirre ,; i;;'il
hydrogen carbonatc
(ri;i;ir;,;,i; ii;cb. - increases do*'n the groupr'
stability i:f carbcnates
:;;;it;;* t*t'o"*'*'

1ialCO3 < i{.tcO3 ": Rb:COr < Cs:-C0:

polarizes
stabililY jllg[oas?s-)
,le to heat. 'I his is because lithiurn being small in
unr
gr"rt li1hi sat-bt'ltrate iS trnst-atr dr:es r:ot exist as a
solid.
carbonate ofLi
large C032- ion ancl fcrm I,i2C'I and C02.Ihe hydtogen
grouP is
tt hYdt'oxYl grouP awl
an
ihe acidic Ptotat'r is an
those cu:itls ir. *;hiclr
| ()xoat:ids art
Eg. Carbanic acld tH{()/,
I{2SO'1 etc l
afiuthed to the samt atont

4
 WalequitedifferentfromthepropertiesofotheralkaIimetais..Ihemain
reasons for these trnornalous properties are:
(i) The extremely imall size of lithturn atom and its ion'
results in the
(ii) creater d;;G power i,,f tithiu;-i;; iii"j, ar" tc its sruall size' T'his
.r ': covalent character in its cr:mpounds'
(iii) Least eleotropositive character and highest ionistion energy'
'namalous ptoperties af lithium nre :
\-,l,ithiumismuJhhar<ler'Itsm'pandb'parehigherthan.theotheralkalimetals'
agent among alkali metals' On
(ii) Lithium is the least reactive Uut'ltr"'ri.ongJst reducing
cornbustion it mainly tbrrns monoxid", iirOkn".",r,
oG. a-lkali metali from peroxides and

as hydrates, Licl.2Hzo' But other aikali metal chlorides

(i ii) i]111t,::'ffi;escent a*cl crystatlizes
do not fonn hYdrates.
u''hereas the other alkali metal nitrales
(ir) i,ithium nitrate when heated gives lithiurn oxi,Je, I-i20,
give the corresPonding nitrite-
4 LiNOr * 2l,i:C) + 4NO: + 02
2NaNO3 *2NaN0: + 0z
compounds of
(v) LiF ancl Li20 ar:e comparatively less soluble in water than the corresponcling
other alkali metais'

Pltson tll rel iltio n s hi p .o {' L i tuit.lLM s

of their atr:ms and ions'

The similarities are mainly due to similarities in sizes
Li: 152 Pm Mg^: t60 Pm
l,i+ = 76 Pm Mg" : 72 Pm
Themain*'ffirt';'-tf,'lil"li,1ruliu*o.r,um in the respective
are harder a'<r lighter rhan orher eteme,ts
grollps'
(ii) LitUr* anri magnesium react slowely with cold water'
iiiil Their oxides and hydroxicles are less soluble in w'ater" peroxide or
oxygen to grve a &
ii"i The oxides L,izo anii MgO do not ct;mbine with e.<cess
suPeroxide.
(v)Thecarborratesot.i,iandlt{grlecompclseeasilyonheatinglot.ormtheo.xideandCo:,
i"il Both l-iCl an<t N{gCl2 are solubie in ethanol MgCl:'8H:O'
(vii) eo*r I-iCr ;n; lu&;i, ;;" ;.liquescent ancl fr:'n h.v'Jrates LiCl'2H2O and
coMPOtD{BS O}'SODIU}I

Sodi}m hvdrqxide (Crrustic qod') ) (NaOH)

using
is the rnost imperrtant alkali. it is
NaOI{ manufactuled by the electrolysis of sodium chioride
a specially designed oell klown as *easfier* {ellggltgA'
try two state par drions. The
cell corsists or * .".t*igfior t*k oiua"a into 3 compartments
.[,he
graphite anodi are fixed in two outer compartments'
partitir:ns do not touch the bottonr oflt * tunt" The
The cathode consists of iron ro{is fitted in tt,* **r1toJ
lompa*rnent. The bollom of the cell is covered with
a layer of meicury. It serves as cathode in the
outer cornpattments'
arld a very dilute solution of NaoH is
Brine solution (NaCi) is placed in the outer compartments
taken in the central compaftrnent'
Iu outer compartments mercury layer acts ils calhode
NaCl --+ 5p| + Cl-

At cathode T.iau + s- --' f ia

At anode 2Cl'- --+ Cl2+ 2e-

\
 Sodiurn dissolves in mercury 1o
foyr sodium
amalgam. Due to tt'e rotking motiorr
clt tl" it favels
":1]: it
to the central it compartrnerrt
tt.,. central
"ornpu**.i*
t$ form NaOll
reacts water
'"*-'" withiXong +
- 21-I2O -* 2Naoll + 2FIg Ll2

from the centrai compafiment

Sodiunr hyclroxide is removed
solution is strongly rrikaline'
Pruperties solid. It is highlY reactive. Its
NaOH is highlY cleliquescent whit* to form NazCO;
NaOH solution at the surface rcacts with the COz in the atmosPhere
U'tel 'r ----"r^^r"-o ^f nrnar soltps
*o:rns and artificial silk'
is used in the nranufacture ofpaper'
ill-'it'n";in*
pr.pu.ut'on of pure lats and oils
i;;
i3) ln oetr..leuln relining
reagent
i+f r, it an important iaboratory
isi ro, the absotbing ofacidic gases'
ili Ut.a for thc prrrification of batrxitc'

Sodiur4 cartronate. NaaCoa' I

0 Ir() IWashiB s sod aI

by the SolvgLar AtnwJonig

Sula ProceS!*
Sodium carbonate is manufactured

principle:wherr('()zgasispassedrhnrtrghbrinesolution'saturatedwithammonia'ltresultsinihe
carbonate, * { t)
lormatiort of sodium nyOiug"n
r llPHCOt)
Nll.r r. Fl,O Ct)2 - r\r1 rr.lL.,r \jHaCl * iZi
Nacl t' xHoHcot --' NaHCO:

TheNaHCO3soformedprecipitatesout,.[.heprecipitatedNaHCo:isfilteredoffan<lthenignitedtoget
sodium carbonate'

2Na[{C03 -+ Na2C03 + CO;r

+ }iz0 --(3)

heating caCo'
b1 heating ( in lime
Detut;-sIltl-w?egs;' ,.arhrlrrarins rower . co3 obtain'"d by
Lo.. obtained
centrat
The of the plant is a the carb.,ating
iiart
kills is sent uP the tower
CaCO; -+ CaC)'t-CO:
uti"" it serrd dowtr the oarbonating
Ammorrical
+ A LitUe

tor,ver where ii reacts'*'itf' CO'

to fnrm' NaHCOT by
p'"..lipitute<1 i'Na}:[Co: along
reactions (1) anil (2) ' ih* tower'
;ili;;"ii;d NH4cl i:oliecti at tlc bottorn o1'the the
is and E
It is filtered' 'rt " p'"t'pii*tt'a }lulfCO-' fis11ed
frrine el
o I
sent back to I
(3) takes plu"*l iO'
Tower
that evolves e
,3
reactir:n 'Ihe is
of the "uit'on*tiog to*"t' NH+CI e*

the bottom trs

o

heatec{. by steatn with milk

of limc E
d
<N
CaO + H2O - Ca (OH)z
+ zu'a
,Yf;L.r';'Lo(orl);'* iNH, + cacl: ,:ilter NH.CI + NH4HC03

is used to
Flller
amme'rniate brine tor lgnition
The liberated alnmonia
r"f*f""- The tinly by product is C)aCl:

trses of sotliunt tgrhonalE

--- fi- In slass 611d soaP industrv
iii) na["t *aring and texti]e"manufacture
of hard water laundering aird
cleaning
iiin lt is used in
'"oil*ning
paint and dye stufts
iili rot **tiu"turing
6
 soda, sodium phosphate etc'
cornpouncls such as borax, caustic
3, Hffi:Till':?130,u,,
Prooerties ,',,,r -..r^+- ac,-1^crhvrirntc-NarCOr.l0H2O
NazCO:
1- lt is a white crystailine solid and exists as decahydrate'
2. it is readilY soluble in water to form monohydral'e' NazClOr '|IzO
3. on heating it rJs"s*+water of h3:dratioo
tl2o + gtt1o
NazCo: .iorfro Na2col '
to a rvhite powder called sq!!4 a$L
o,ri""hanges
4. But above 373K, it bec,.rmes orr1ryarouu
by warer ro rorm an arkarine sorution'
5 c,,Xi:!;,ltx!,;,,I1::ff;,,:';:t
- hydrolyserr

cclrz- Hzo *) I-lcoi- + 0ll

D by mass' NaCi is
sodrusl-chlstlgsjNoe water which contai ts 2"1-2'9 %o
,Ihe most abtilfoant source of NaCtr is sea ttrrus obtained contains sodi*m sulphate'
obtained f,rom sea warer by solar evaporati:n.
rie"iJaiu* "r',ro.la"
anct magnosium chloride as
irnpurities'
calcir.rm sulphate, calcium"chloride

Toobtainpuresodiumchlori<le,thecrudesaltisdissolvedinrninimunramoulltofwaterand
rl'en the solution is saturated *itt' t''yatog*n
chloride eas' Jhln
filtered to femove insoluble impurities. chloride being more soiuble remaln 1n
pure sorlium chtoride fri"*'"i,t. curuum uiri"*oer;ti't"
solution.
Uses:
1. It is used table salt for dornestio purpose'
as
and NazCor'
2. It is used tbt;; pfi;ion of Na:'o:' NaoH

Sodium hydrogen
carb.nate with carbon dioxide'
gets separated out'
carbonate is less soiuhle in water and
Na2C03 + H2O 'l- CO2 + 2NaHCOq
{Jses
1 It is usecl as a rnild antiseptic fcrr skin infections'
2
decomposes on heating to senerate b*bbles or co,
J il ;: I.::1t;"[H#'3iJJ-fit' because .it
ttrcm light and tlut'fo'
leaving hoies in .ot.' uiiu'iti"' ontl nraking

Uses of alkali nrelels -- *,i.--, ^+'ri+hi,,m with airrminium is r:sed for air craft
constrnction
t'*'i*s' !:l oi arr ov or
ffi lithium with magnesium is extremely
;;;:YixT-$'[ 1#:T#"n*o
lil;;ll,g. \kil:;:toug;';;d*orroui.,, It is usecl for armour plate aud
'*'iotunil
aerospace cornponents'
drug'
:l iiirtrri- .rtt onate is rised as an antidepressantcells'
ai l;,t,iurn is also used to make e'lectrochemica'l
reclucing agent in organic synthesis'
5) Lithiunr utun i*iu* lrii.io"iirar lL) is a p"*"rt r

Sodtum
is used as an anti-
ethvr rea,,, (pb (czr{s)+) which
ffilm"::iiui:i:ilHlHffi:i:ff:fiJ}-
knocking agent in Petrol
agents"
?) ioaiumLJ s.rdiurn amalgum are used asreducing lamps'
vapour
;; G;J i; the production of sodi*m
Fotassiurn ,. ,.^.:^^r systems'
1]Tffiiiutn itas a vital role in biok:gical
;. Potassium chloride is used as fertilizer
of soft soap
;: . r<oH it used in the rnanullacture
4. lt is excellent absorber of C01'
Caesium
ffiGfim is used in photoelcctric cells'
\ n
Al,r(ALll\ E $AIlqH ETAI',S
-M

Group2elemerrtsoftheperiodictableccrmprisestheeiements,Beryliium,Magnesium,Calcium,
Strontiurn, Barium and Radium

Phvsigal Xlllrnerties

ffiicconfigurationofalkalineearthrreta1sistNobtegas|ns2wheren,=2to7
(21 .Atolnic and ioJtic siz# .. xhat of corresponeling alkali metals'
'i'he atornic anJit'ni" radii of alkali eanh metals are lor'rer than
i,r;;;;;l**"n,r. witi,ln the group atomic radius
increases
This is due to rhe irr"rior"J ,ro"lear cha|ge
from toP to bottom.

(il-tonisstion enefgv. . r ^1,--.r:-- ^-*r" mctatrF hisher than that of alkali rnetals' This
mr.ialq are highel
is
The first ionrsation energy of alkaiine earth energy are mush iower than
due to the smaller size of alkallne earth
metalsl-;;;; ;""ond lo*isation second is to be rernoved
the-
i,, trt" co'""ii metals
those of alkali metals. i-t i, is because "ir-rr "i*-"tto"
noble gas configuration'
from a cation which t as ai'e'Oy acquired* florn a cation which is yet to
While in alkaline earth metals, ti * s"corii-etectro;' is to be remove6
more easily'
acquire the stable noble gas co.figuration,
ftr"r"io,* tl'" u*tt]nd electron can be removed

trc.rallysoft,silverywhiteanditisturousmeta1s"BeandMgare
greyish in colour. closely packed in
to their smaller. size thev are more
But they are hariler than alkali metals. I-)ue points'than alkali metals" tn
lattice. rr,..*r.,. iii*l' rt** r'tigr'gl;"rti'n'p;l'!gpa bfli"*
their crystal autl presence of two valence
alkalifle earth metals the rneta.llic bond
is ,*onfi"l: u#orfriTrG"r*.ir"-ti,e
electrons.

(5) They arc electtical and thermal corcduclors'

(6) Fl{tme caLaut

'' -- They mpart colour to the flarne
Calcium*Brickred'strontium.-rCrimson'Barium*Applegreen state energy ls
In flame the electrons ar() excited to higher "*'r,
i"'"r" *"4 t"t'"natt'o back tt-) the grr'rund
rhis is because the
ftawe-'
emitred in the ibrnr or-visible rien. fin.qra ir?';';;;;!y;#t;ifie
electrons in ue anci M; *tiongffiu,tA to get excited b1' tlame'
";;t;"
n ,Axidalioll sttt&. ^--: j^+:^n o+ara in their r:omoounds.
Alkalineearthmetaisexhibit+2oxidationstateintlreircomp.

il r,!fulpi $
H v d r a ti 0 n-e in io*ic size down the
earth metals 6ecrease u'ith increase
The hydratioienthalpies of alkaline
group' g1 2o .,
Be2* > Ju1grt , Cl- > Llaz"
of atkali metals.
of alkaline eat',h metal ions 'are larger than those
The hydratit.tn enthalpies w'ile Nacl and Kcl
Therefore compouncls like Mgct2 and
cacl2;J;;; ugcr, .anrii u,ri'iact, 'an.r:
do not form such hYdrtrtes'

Cbenrical ProPqrties
DuetorncrJa^sednuclearchargeanclsmallersize"thealkalineearthme.talsformcompoundswhich
eornpouncis of*the alkali rnetals'
are less ionic thtrn the corresponcling

I
 {il Rcactivi]iloturrlllLbllrogen.LUvdride;) ,.^^,.i,,is
"nmhine
wirh hvdrogen on hcatingto form metal
Allthcmen}t]ersofthisgroupexccptberylliutncombinewithhydrogenonhcatingto
-
hydrides, llHz.
M*H:*Mll:
'iiliiiitim
MgFl2iscovalentinnature,wlrileCaH:.SrH2andBaI{2areionicinnaturg.C)aH2isknou,nasbydsli1L
rvith LiAII-I1
tii''pt*put*d bl'treating BeCl:
af BeN2,
2BeC12 + i.iAl I'la * 2BeH2 + LiCl + AlCl3

,ejrttooxygenandwaterduetothelbrrnationofoxidecoilti0gontheir
bums briiliantlv
;;o-u'a n"'N'' Magnesium also
surface. Bur po*'clered b.irliantly in;ft;;;;
s; i-"r- in air to form oxides and nitrides
to f-orrn Mgo ancl Mg:N.' other membe* "f th;;;t;;;;;;t
'lhese metals react'rvith lvater even in cold to ftrrm hydroxides'

**'* "f;l#{t;i{!r;{:'{;#o#;rar> bur, in oxygen rorming oxidcs. Fie.

\1g arrd ca f,orm mortoxides

while strontium and bariuln fcrrm peroxides'

:
2M + Az '' 2{\'lO (M Be'N{gorCa)
Monoxide
M +' (), ---+ MO: (M: Ba or Sr)
Peroxide
rhe reactivity;J*:ts":1fJTffi:t?!T:#";"-::{:if",r.T"T* Beo is essentiarv covarent rhe
enthalpies of formation'
monoxides are very tiuUf* ao* to tlreir high

AlltheseoxidesexceptBeOreactwithwatertoformsparinglysr.rlublehydroxides,

N,1O + tl2o -* Ivt(0H)2

()E)z-
Th e so Iu b iIi n, tt f t h e{e h v d. r ox i tt e s i sIg
r-t Plls -l r ?{l "Y s ( I H)r--.' tQ B d {
Be(oH)z .1l lrtX tsr(oH):<Ba(oH):
*+
SolubilitY increases

' < Ba (0H)2

Basic characteY increases
4
$nwht'telic a$d i!geq#"wW'botb acid
t'\{l alkali'
BgoHt,and.Beo are

Be(oFu:+ 2()H +
Hi,{rg,i?;i'
Be(OH)2 + 2HCl + 21t20 *) [Ee(t]H)alC1'7

ffiwithlralogetrsdirect1ytoformhatidesofthetirrrrrulaMX2,
*+ tv{ + x? NrlXz

Berliliumhalidesarecovalentandaresolubleinorganicsolveuts'tseX2existonlyingasphase'
bur in condensecl state it cxisls as
c polytTrer
-\Ol" _Cl _ _ Cl_
Forexample BeCl;possessesdiflcrentstructuteinsolid o:- )gf,
pi, ;:n*',ru.,:ml ll ;t; ::i;ff ;:JT i;il' iJ*i a s 1
"/ tl
"=-'ns \g" " "
by four chlorine atoms"

'\ - ''...-
 dissociates in to a
to form a chloro bridgeri dimer which
But in vaPc'rur state (at 1200K), it tends
and zero dipole moment"
monomef raith a linear structure
cl- Be -- C:l
all otkrer halides are iotric
in natut'e'
ExcePt berYllium halides'
and CaCl:'6H:O'
and form hYdrates such as N'lgCt2.6LI2C)
are hygloscoPic
The anhYrtrrotls halides
Ttris is due to their high
is called
siightlY with increase
in cationic size' CaF2
The solubilitY increases
magnitude of lattioa energy' offluorine'
is the larger scnle souroe
It is imPortant oompound because it
fluorosuar'
with LiAlH
Preparation of BeCt2:
lt is preparecl by treating BeClz

,r'noo,o*,,*fri;;,'1ll';"""1"t1;;":":''decornpositionor(NFL)zBeFq
Salts of oxoacids
with a
.r ammottittm carbonate
Curbonates
l.'''-'""-{illi''" -., ore,'l.ed by treating sodiurn
ere pl
^....L,rrldi,ie are
car'bottatcs
eo'th meral
sorution orsalr orthe,-li".H;a;';;r;:*il:,:i::#iilj.hit;l*:t l:*rH::j:x""::;%?i;
*?'here'rcro:
iHi*;t:?B,.,:ffi iillT,.T;,Ji1li3i:f',;'l1"ii'ffi
<
-srco:
< Baco3
Beco3' dl;;";"c*io'
in water du-e to gtgatg!
2. sulphttes and Mgsoa atg-solublq
" -r white solicls stable to treat. Beso+
i; rr o m to p to b onom'
,r-r*L#mE;l"t Ji'ou uu:
"'"*"u
3' N,rate;n'ates
are prepared trv tre'ating
.,-f":1T:.y1:itxi":'lH.?J'il;tJf;ffi:ii;:i-ti:T:-;1':'f'[:n
lrydratlon.
oll,o.Pr",|,i,-ini,.o t,u,.J*
.;;..:;;;'a."'--ti"g tcn(lellcv sho.,v
as Mts(No;): oxides'
on hcating ro protluce
i*"o,ioot"
2lv[8o,.i' ' -- M0 ^
4No2 ' ' o''

A{omalqus lrlg eJ{ies at t}eryllium

Thepropertiesoflrerylliumdiffertiorntherestofilremernbersoftlregroup.Theirnporlantpointsof
difl"erence ut"u. and. ionic sizes' are largely
ru* exceptionaily sma.ll atomic it fbrms compounds rvhich
(ii) :ff[T""r;{[f*ffiTtrurm4::j:]:-:" tttarr ,,rr
tt But others can have a coordi*ation

(iiil t"-ut.ri'uiiou number more

ut d"J";t;t'#ir'it arebasic
*^,u,' rihire that orother members
:,1 [il:*j:i*J*i[f;*tJl;'J5'*'l#'i]
in nature.
and aluminiqm'
Diagonal r9latioulhip between Ft{r'llium

BeandAlhavesameelectronegativetyandsa,milarcharge/radiusratios,ll.enceBeresenrbles
Itu*ini"'" forms covalent conrpourrds'
".|**1'f;:lements' b*t like aluminium' Be
prcsence oi arr oxide nrr.
ot
!,ii. itillft:.X",ili1*l'ii;;:LmU'lffiit:-;-,.-e 'lhe

['J] ili:'li* ^li.i; h"' bridgetr *.0. : ArF6j

ti "{i:l;'::111'i'.',",
tia'rv'"a
m::i,,txu: ;:':1?,':ii:ffJ",;;;ilffi
10
ICOMP0IN$P$ PF' ALKAI.I.NA SARTII METALS

[1] Calcium oxide (quicB lirye). CaO

,?tg,ttgi-!.!t
It is produced b,v heating lirnestone at abottt 127 3 Kirt linre kilns,
CaCO: +r CaO -r CO2
1?ropertier
iJ) It ir un amorphous white solid cf very high nrelting paint{2273K) Wllen heated in oxy hydrogen
llame, it emits brilliant white liehL ({ime lisht).

(2) It readily absorbs nroisture and carbon dioxicle.

CaO r' H2O -+ Ca(Ott):
CaO + CO: --+ CaCOr.
(3) Slnkins
f[" a<ldition of limired amount of rvater clisintegrates the lump of iirne. T-his process is known as
slaking of, lirne. Tht; product is slaked lirne (Ca(OlI)z). Quick lirno slaked with soda gives a solid,
;;oclalimq.

(4) It combirres with acidic r:xides at high temperature.

CaO + SiO2 --+ CaSiO3
6CaO + PaOle .* ZCa:(PO4):
lllse,s
(1) It is used as a drying agent as such or as sodalime
(2) fn the procluction of slakcd lime.
(3) It is important prinrary material for manufncturing cement and it is ilie cheapest alkali
() CaO is used in the rnanufacture of calciuln carbide, sodiunl carbonate etc.
(5) it is used irr the purification of sugar and in m;inufncture ol dye stuffs.

1lp ! c i u yn I I t d t' o x d e [$ I ttke d I i m I C-a ( O-Id ] a

---.':*@ertoqriicr<Iirrre,Ca0,T.hisprctcessinknownass1akirrgof1ime'
I -
e

CaO -F HrC * Ca(OH)2

l?ro*ertieg
(i) It is rvhite po"wder sparingly soluble in rvater. 11re aqueous sr:lltion is krrown as time
an,C
ygigr, aad a snsprensicrn of slaked lime in water is knorvn as *tilk af lirue.
(ii) When C07 is passed through lime'rater, it turns niiliry,,
Ca(OfDz + Ci)2 -* CaCO: +H2O
On passing excess of'CO2, the precipitate dissolves due trt the fbrlr.ration of'calciurn hydrogen
carbonale.
CaCO3 + CO: + HzO *n Ca(llCOs)z

(i ii) It is strongly basic and it reacts with acitls to lorm salts.

(iv) Milk of lirae l'eacts with chlorine to fbrni hypochlorite, a cori.stituent of bleaching powder.
2Ca{Ol'l)lt:'2C12 * CaCl: -t- Ca(Cl0)2 +-2H?O

)ussq
(;) For absr:r'tring aci<iic gases"
(i i) For preparing ammonia fi"our ammoniunr chloride
(iii) In the production of nroriar, a trui'ldlng material
(iv) ln glass making, tanning iuciustry for tne preparation of bleacliing powder ancl firl' purification
o fl sugrtr,
(v) It is also usecl as * disinfbctant.
("i) .As limc water in l.rborirtories.

1l
tl
Calciuur cartronate" CaCOr lLirngstongl ...
marble etc' It is a white fluffu powder' It
It occurs in nature iir several forrns like lime stone, chalk,
is also prepared
- by the foliowing methods.
u) fjy passing C02 through slaked lime-
CatOU;, + COz + CaCO: -l'HzO
b) By the addition oFsodium carbonate to calcium chloride
Ca Ci2 -r Na;CO: -+ C aCC): -t- 2NaC1
Properties
When heated above I200K, it decornposes to evolve
CO2
I .
C aC03 + Fleat + Ca O -i- CO:
2. [t reacts with dil acid to liberate CO:
CaCO3 + 2HCl * CaClz +H2O + COz
CaCIO: + H:SO+ * CaSO+ +ruO
-t CO2
Uses
.1 Used as a building material in the form of marble'
2. In the manufacture of quick lime'
3. ln the manufacture of high quality paper
4. In Solvay process for the tnanufacture of Na2CC)3'
Used as a ilux in the extraction of metals such as
iron'
5. mild abrasi-ze irr tooth paste.
6. It is also ,,.a o. u1., antacid, as a filler in cosmetics,

Plaster of Paris-CaSO+l/2 HtQ

ffitrrn, CaSOa.2H:O is heated t,, 393 K.
z(caso,,'iliro) *+ 2 ca so+ 1/2il:o "r 3rl2o
plaster of Faris is a white porvder which whe[ wetted with one thirtl of
its *'eight of water sets
within 5 t5* minutes' The addition of
u,ith expansion in to fr"rarr**, of inter f*f<ing'".ytt"ft "iq'nyy (]r alum reduces it'
common sait Qrlacl) accelerates the rate ol sett-ing.
while a little borax
caso+ which does nox set on
when piaster of Paris is heat,efl above 473 K it gives anhyrJrous
mixing witlr waier. It is called '"deatl'- burnt plaster" '

Usgs
(1) lt is used in surgical banclages' in casting and mouiding
(2) For *utting stat-ues, modeli and other decorative materiais'
(3) It is also employed in dentistry'

Magqsigu_tgl&utc - &t eS o a.-?.Eagl&psou;gUl

]tisfoundinearthcrustasepsorniteMgsoaJH2o..rtcanalsobeobtainedt?ommagnesite'
acid'
MgCO: or dol:mite Calvtg(CO3), ontreatrnent with sulphuric
MgCO3 + I12SOa + MgSOa + COz r H:O
caco-'. Mgcor I z urJo. -+ Casoa + l'lgSoa 1- 2tl2o + ?coz

ThecorrectfornrulaclfthecorrrpoundistrvrgGLo)o]So4.H2o.Theorystalsarecolouriess.
Magnesium sulphate is deliquescent'

Uses
(i) 1n weighting, sizing and tire - proofing of paper and cloth
(iD In the preparation ofpaints and soaps'
(iii) In dying aud tatlning
(iv) As .r purgative in medicine
as a fertiiizer called"potash tnagnesis"
(v) The double ,utt frSOo.rr'tJSO4'6H2O is used

12
 in England (1s24) ty Joseph Aspiittn'
%r**t is a' important building material. It was introduced
Engtand. Therefore it is called
on setting it resembles natural lime stone q**i.Jl. trt" Isle of Portland
Portl*ni cemenLis such as
a produot obtained -it;t, materia]1 l-h-,." lime (cao), and material
by combinins
composition of Portland
clay which is rich in silica (SiOz), and oxides ;f
At and Mg' The average
cement is given below'

CaO 50-60%
20-2504
5-1
2-3o/o
1-2o/o
1-zo/n
Sulphur trioxide, SO3

should be between 2'5 and 4'0 and the ratio

For a good quality cement the ratio of sio: to Al2o3
Lre as close to 2'
of CaO to total oxides of silicon, alurninium and iran should
:tre limestane an<l clay' When they are heated
The raw materials for the manufacture of cetnent
clinker is trrixed with2-3"/o by weight of gypsum
strongly, they fuse antl react to form tefirent ctinier.This
(CaSO+.2IIzOi to regutai* the setting time and is then ground
to a very fiue powder'

rhus ttue iftrpartnnt insredients ," o'*.1;{r:f:::I'{r{f"ur"(cazSioa)

- z6yo
Tricalcium silicate (CarSiOs) - 51%
Tricalcium aluminatr' - (Ca3Al2O6)- I l9i'
ot- the constituents and thsit
when cemerrt is mixed rvith water, hydration of ttre n-iolecules cross links tretween"' si-o-
climensio'al
rearrangenrent take place" It sets in to a harrl .iurr a** to three
chains. Tiris process l.,urt*a "setlittg". The role
of gypsum is to slow tlowrrthe
si... and ...si-o-Al...
proccss of setting of the cement

@gCementisusedinconcreteandreinforcedconcrete,inplasteringandintheconstructionofbridges'
dams arrd truildings.

Biolosical rolegf Magne$grn aqd ealciurg -

-- 1 . A" "d-lt b.dy "Itt." uUout ?5g of ThiMg and 12009 of Ca' , r1 , ,
^---.:-..
2" Mg is a cofacto, for'**1, ur.y"i.s. plant pigment chlorophyll also contains magnesium'
an,i reeth^ It also plays important roles in
3. About 99% r;;;y-*r"iu* iu por*.iri--i"'b"on",
."tt mernbrane integrity and blocrd coagulation'
neuromuscular function. neuro trarisfilrurior,
4. The plasma concentration calcium it fi;;ri It is ,raintain*l by t*o hormones' Calcitonin and
parathYroid homone.

l3