SCH 2200 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF S AND P BLOCK ELEMENTS

2.0 HYDROGEN

2.1 Occurrence

Hydrogen is quite common in combined state. It is a component of most compounds than any other
element e.g. in water, organic compounds, biomolecules. Free hydrogen is less common but it
occurs in volcanic gases and in the outer regions of the sun and in stars where nuclear fusion occurs
(most abundant element in the universe)

4𝐻 ⟶ 𝐻𝑒 + 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠 + 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 (𝑉. 𝑆, 1𝑅 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡)

It has three isotopes 1H (ordinary hydrogen or protium), 2H(deuterium or heavy hydrogen, D), 3H
(tritium, T). Tritium is radioactive.

3
1𝐻 ⟶ 32𝐻𝑒 + 0
−1𝑒 − 𝛽 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦, 𝑡1⁄ = 12.26 𝑦𝑟𝑠
2

2.2 Preparation

On a large scale it is prepared from;

(i) Electrolysis of water. Hydrogen is discharged at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.
2H2O(l) + Electrical energy 2H2(g) + O2(g)
(ii) From natural gas. Natural gas and steam are passed over a nickel catalyst at 900 0C to
produce water gas. The two gases are then separated by fractional distillation.
CH4(g) + H2O(g) CO(g) + 3H2(g) (water gas)
(iii) From coal. By passing steam at 1000 0C over coal, Water gas is produced.
C(s) + H2O(g) CO(g) + H2(g)
In the laboratory it is prepared from;

(i) Reaction of dilute acids with metals

Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g) or

Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)

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 (ii) From the reaction of metal hydrides with water. However, metal hydrides are
expensive. These reactions are used in the inflation of life jackets and baloons.
CaH2(s) + 2H2O(l) Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2H2(g)
2.3 Reactions

2.3.1 Reaction with elements

(i) Reacts with very electro positive metals (group I and II) to form ionic hydrides.
M(s) + H2(g) 2MH(s); M = Li, Na, K, Cs, Rb
M(s) + H2(g) MH2(s) M = Ca, Sr, Ba.
Metal hydrides are very reactive especially group I and II. They liberate hydrogen with
water
+ -
M H + H2O MOH + H2
(ii) Reaction with group III elements= Does not react directly with group III elements.
Hydrides of these elements are formed indirectly e,g reduction of the clorides using
LiAlH4.
(iii) Reaction with group IV elements
Does not react with Carbon. Reacts with silicon to form a mixture of silanes
Si + nH2 SiH4, Si2H6, Si3H8 etc
(iv) Reaction with group V elements
Reacts with nitrogen to form ammonia, NH3. Requires high temperature and pressure.
The yield is low, hence requires a catalyst. The reaction is reversible.
3H2(g) + N2(g) 2NH3(g)
NH3 is an important raw material for the production of nitrogen fertilizers and nitric
acid.
Phosphine (PH3) is formed indirectly by reaction of water with AlP (aluminium
phosphide)
(v) Reaction with group VI elements
Reaction with oxygen is exothermic and potentially explosive. Reaction with sulphur
requires heating.
H2(g) + O2(g) H2O(l)
8H2(g) + S8(l) 8H2S(g)

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 (vi) Reaction with group VII elements
React with all halogens to form HX.
H2 + X2 2HX X = F, Cl, Br, I
Reaction with F2 is explosive. Reaction with I2 gives low yield.
2.4 Uses
(i) Used in the hydrogenation of oils fats to produce fats e.g margarine (Haber-Bosch process)
(ii) Used in the preparation of useful organic compounds e.g methanol
CH4 + H2O Ni CO + 3H2
CO + 2H2 ni/CuO CH3OH From natural gas

CO2 + 3H2 Ni/CuO CH3OH + H2O From Coal.

(iii) Used in the production of ammonia, a useful compound for production of nitric acid and
fertilizers

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