THE ALKALI METALS (GROUP 1A) . Laat I(A) Consists of alkali metals comprising six elements, lithium (Li), so 2), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs) and francium (Fr). They are called alkali metals because hydroxides of sodium and potassium are since long known to be “alkalie". The metals are also obtained by electrolysis of alkalies in fused state, The alkali metals are characterised by the presence of one electron in outermost (valency shell) ‘s' orbitals. The low ionization potential values for the atoms of these elements render them electropositive nature. They acquire the configuration of noble gates preceding them during the formation of electropositive ions. The electronic configuration of alkali metals is shown in Table 10.1. TABLE 10.1 Electronic Configuration of Alkali Mctals Shel: 1 2 3 4 56 7 Element i = 7 Onna: s spspdspdfspds ps Li 21 : Na 2261 K 22626 1 Rb 22626102 6 1 Cs 2262 6 10 2.6 10 26. 2 i 92626102 6112 6 102 6) resembles ions ‘of group IA elemen* jum i 1 The ammonium 10m, uw K* with respect to its physical propertics. chemical properties. It is more close to 269ine 8000p. Pores abi adioactive Isotopes. Pitassing Q70 uid have © Bash pve mete of 13 x 10” years: Radioactive poy. 4 is a week Beem’ 117 8% of the natural clement. Rubidium — gy sti, dae ive aerial fife 6 x 10" years ay radioacllv a rence: . Occur wing t0 thei reactivity, the alkali metals occur in nature only ;,. combined state Sodium and potassium are morc abundant metals and Const m . 9% of the carth’s crust, respectively. These metals are ys Ute Is and rocks. ally 2.40 % and 235 present in various silicat The most important mil e-type mineral inerals of the most common metals are: (ij Forlithivm: LiAI(POs)F Amblygonite (ii) For Sodium: ° NaCl Rock salt or commor. ‘*lt NaNQ) + Chile saltpetre NazCO3 Natron or Taona NayB.07.10H0- 9, Borax (ii) For Potassium: KCl. MgCh . 6,0 Carnallite KCI i 7 Sylvite ~ Prepaeation: : Alkali iltwetta amas ie prepared by electrolysis of the fused chlorides. In order added before electrolysis,” } overcome corrosion, impurities like CaCh are MCl ———+ M’+CI” M’ +e" ———+ M (Alkali metal) CP =e 1 Ve" ——+> Ch + GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Physical Properti erties: ali wes Fest tect ae ote alkali metals are very soft, malleable and light metals: inife, The feshly ct cote to float upon water, They can Be cul cut with Physicel co face has a bright silve 7 et Constants of the alkali metals one eee Sancolin N= . in Table 10.2.pehapes—___ = SERAU METAL: ~ Ss (8Roup lay "un 271 Atonc weinht Atomic radius ionic radius (A) jonization Potential (ev) Density (yiem') 39 So boo Iss . 4 ox 286 Melting point (°C) Lie so | S20 730 OSS. 090 linked with loose bonding of the only The above physical propertie: valence electrons: present in *s" orbitals of alkali metals: ‘The tend in the values of the decreasing elect of eMeetive nuclear clare on fomic numbers jonvation potential indi the valency (x) electrons with ine The relatively weaker bindi benween alkali met and boiling points The fiee motions of the conductivity ef met ) Mame sin TF atoms in the solid state result in “Tow incltin valence electrons is responsible for the high electri These. metals or their son heating in Bu characteristic colour to the fame. Lithium imparts caramine ted, sodium yellow potassium violet and caesium blue colour. The. colour is imparted due to the clectronic transitions from higher to lower encizy states. In this process, energy is teleased in the form of light waves of particular wave lenyth corresponding to the metal, Reactions: _ The casy removal ionization potential value: Compounds The reactivily oft tumber due to the increasing Ca the ready loss of electrons, the alk ‘lowing reactions are morc common als {) Aétion of Air or Oxygen AIL INE alka gets ha oxygen and are quickly tarnished Lithium 30, . sii metal atoms, duc to low fim alk \ in’ ther lency of 41 h increase in atomic be last Because of The af one electron ik: 5 invariably would exhibit a val jrese. metals increases with qasith which elgetrons may be & ah metals act as good reducing agents adily sonct except Li res 1y to form lyon beatin y» LixO‘INORGaANic « 272 sats slowly at room temperature and vigorously ony Sodium rei ide Na2O2 . form sodium peroxide 2Na +02 ——> Naz02 Oz. even at foom temperaty;. “Potassium forms superoxide, Ko and caesium react rapidly with oxyge! and CsOz . ; ; i tater: k tals react Very Vigorously , if ion with Water: The alkali me t vy (ii) Feet of eneTgy is released during the reaction and due toon A alas alkali metals (except lithium), reaction becomes more vigo, thus liberated catches fire. 2K +2H,0 ———> 2KOH+H: Lithium is as good a reducing agent as caesium. This is because, standard electrode potential (E° = 3.02 volts) of lithium in spite of ionization potential value. ". (iii) Reaction with Acids. The alkali metals react very vigorously with points result of this hydrogen 2Na+2HCl——>._ 2NaCl + Hp Reaction with Hydrogen. The alkali metals combine directly wis ming crystalline colourless compounds (iv) A hydrogen on’ gentle heating for! i hydrides. They belong to the class of ionic hydrides. . . 2Na+H, ———> 2NaH (*) Reaction with Halogens: Alkali metals react with halogens explosive violence. Halogens are strongly electronegative elements and w gain electrons from alkali metals capable of losing them. . 2M +X; ———+ 2MX (X=F, Cl, Br, ]) 2K + Br: ———> 2KBr (+i) __ Reaction with Nitrogen: Alkali metals react with nitrogen in presente electric discharge to form nitrides. . | 6Na+N; ———+ 2NaN7 ~ \ The nitrides are readily hydrolysed with water to liberate NH. \ _ NaN +3H;0. ———+ 3NaQH + NE) (vii) Reaction ‘with Amm f sodium, sodamide‘is formed. : 2Na+2NH; ——+ 2NaNH, +H: However, alkali metals react with liquil ° | + alkal with liquid ia to form blue sulutions due to solvation. . ae en over poate? = On passing gaseous ammonia i youre?[Chapter 10 (oii) Rea ARAL erat c i — S (GE (wid Reducing Agents: Alba nang ©S lO elements on f ‘Siti are powerful reduc 273 iS, ING ape MgO +2Nq agents and reduce re The chloride: CO) + ana —, an +Na0. S of metals can also be red + 2NaxO0 TiCh 4 educed AN, Among el at 4Na i ements > Ti+ 4Nacl displace less reactive meni im UP tay Ives the m a then ct mare Powerful reducing agents will . i (ix) Reaction with Wein bit Ne 7 ith BS: With HS, alkali m f colar . ictal sulphides are obtained (x) Reaction with Acetyl i All oe . ‘lene: Alkali i acetyl ides by replacement ofhydroges emails react with acetylene to form 2Li + C3Hy ———+ LinC, + Hy 2Na +2C,H) ———> 2NaHC, + Hz w Reacti 2NaHC; ———> Naj,C) + CzH2 ie ‘ < fon with Alcohol: Alkali metals react with. alcohols to form alcohols or alcoholates. 2Na + C]3H;OH ,———> 2C2HsONa + Hz Applications: - Alkali metals are mostly used as reducing agents. Sodium and other alkali ed in photoelectric cells. The Na — Pb alloy is used in the production i-knock in petrol. S OF ALKALI METALS: d compounds. Most of them are colourless jnitrites, nitroprussides etc., metafs are us of tetraethyl lead used 2s ant IMPORTANT COMPOUND: Alkali metals form well-define “except their dichromates, permanganates, cobalt which are coloured. COMPGUNDS OF LITHIUM: ; thi i ly processe Lithiurt minerals are usually pr d other compounds. Lithium carbonate Is obtain carbonate on LiCl. QLicl + (Ha): - 5 used in glass in —— to obtain Li;COs or LiCl to get ed by the action of ammonium Li dustry. Lithium hydroxide is usually Lithium carbonate i obtained from LizSO« , LisSO« + Ba(OHD: 2Li0H + BaSOs