S Block elements

• Group 1 and 2 of the periodic table

• Electronic configuration ns1-2
Alkali metals Alkaline earth metals
Li, Na K, Rb, Cs and Fr Be, Mg,Ca,Sr,Ba and Ra
ns1 oxidation state +1 ns2 oxidation state +2
Low ionisation energy –IE High ionisation energy:IE decreases down the group
decreases down the group
They form ionic They form ionic compounds
compounds
Highly reactive Less reactive
Large atomic and ionic Atomic radii: The atomic radii of alkaline earth metals
radii are larger but smaller compared to corresponding
alkali metals. It increases down the group
Hydration enthalpy- decreases as the size of the metal ion increases down
decreases down the group the group.
 S Block elements
Alkali metals
Metallic character: The metallic character
increases as we go down the group
Reducing character: Alkali metals are good
reducing agents
Reaction with oxygen Form oxides (M2O)
,(MO2) and (M2O2)on heating with excess of
oxygen with
Reaction with halogens: Reactivity of alkali
metals with particular halogen increases from
Li to Cs.
Reaction with water: Alkali metals react with
water and other compounds containing acidic
hydrogen atoms such as hydrogen halides, etc.
to liberate hydrogen gas
Reaction with hydrogen: Alkali metals react
with dry hydrogen at about 673 K to form
crystalline hydrides which are ionic in nature
and have high melting points.
Alkaline earth metals
Metallic character: The metallic character
increases as we go down the group
Reducing character: Alkaline earth metals are
weak reducing agents
Reaction with oxygen Form oxides (MO) on
heating with excess of oxygen with exception of
Ba and Ra which form peroxides (MO2)
Reaction with halogen: combine directly with
halogen to form corresponding halides.
Reaction with water: Elements of this group
are less reactive with water because they are
less electropositive in nature
Reaction with hydrogen: The members of this
group except Be combine with hydrogen
directly upon heating to form metal hydrides.
 S Block elements
Alkali metals
Flame coloration :Li-crimson;Na-yellow;k-lilac;
Rb-red violet; Cs-blue
Photoelectric effect -Cs
Biological importance of sodium and
potassium: Na+ help to regulate flow of water
across the cell membranes, transportation of
sugars and amino acids inside the cells. K+
together Na+ are responsible for transmission of
nerve signals and maintenance of ionic gradient
across the cell. K+ activate many enzymes, and
help in the oxidation of glucose
Forms complexes: crown ethers, cryptates
cryptands
LiOH-CO2absorptin in submarine, Li2CO3-
depressive psychosis drug,Li alkys-alkylating
agent ;(LiH,NaH,KH,LiAlH4) –reducing agent
Alkaline earth metals
Flame coloration: Ca: brick red; Sr-crimson;Ba-
apple green;ra-crimson
Biological importance of Ca and Mg
Mg2+ act as cofactor for all enzymes that
utilize ATP.
Mg2+ is present in chlorophyll pigment found
in green plants.
Ca2+are required for bone formation, blood
clotting and are required to trigger the
contraction of muscles. They also regulate
heart beat.
Be-moderator in nuclear reactor ;Mg-
deoxidiser, milk of magnesia-medicine as an
antidote;Ca-bones;CaCO3 –cement and glass
industry; BaSO4-barium meal -diagnosis
 S Block
Alkali metals
elements
Alkaline earth metals

LiH-source of H2military applications ,Na- CaO –quicklime; used in cement, glass and
coolant; NaCl-iodised salt,NaHCO3 baking softening of water, Bordeaux mixture asa
soda,Na2CO3 glass industry,NaOH-paper and fungicide
textile inustry,Na2SO4 –paper and glass industry
KCl,K2SO4,KNO3-fertilizer;KMnO4-oxidising
agent; KNO3- explosive, KBr-photography;KO2-
breathing mask; K2CO3- ceramics, Rb and Cs-
scavenger of O2 and photoelectric cell

Oxides of Alkali metals

Normal oxides-monoxides of the type M2O(M=Li,Na,K,Rb and Cs)
Li2O and Na2O are white solid; K2O is yellow; Rb2O-bright yellow ;Cs2O-orange.
Metallic oxides are basic. They react with water
Li2O +H2O → 2 LiOH the hydroxides are called alkalis.
Na2O+H2O→ 2 NaOH
Peroxides
of the type M2O2 (-O-O-)2-diamagnetic and good oxidising agents. They react
with water to form H2O2 Li2O +H2O → LiOH + H2O2
 S Block elements
Good oxidizing agents
Al →Al2O3 CO →CO2
Cr(III) →Cr(VI)
Na2O2 +O2→ 2NaO2
Superoxide (O2)-
Na2O2 + O2 → 2 NaO2( 4500 C and 300atm)
K, Rb,Cs form superoxides at ordinary pressure of O2
Paramagnetic in nature .they are strong oxidising agents than peroxides . With water or acid they
produce H2O2 and O2
2KO2 +2H2O →2KOH +H2O2 +O2

KO2 is used -space capsules /submarines - breathing masks to produce O2

4KO2 +2CO2→2K2CO3 +O2
4KO2 +4 CO2 +2H2O →4KHCO3+3O2
Sesquioxide
K.Rb,Cs form another type oxide M2O3 called sesquioxide. They are not stable. They are
paramagnetic in nature
 S Block elements
Hydroxides: All alkali metals form hydroxides of the type MOH. They are formed on
dissolving M2O with water .They are basic, strong electrolytes-undergo dissociation
MOH → OH-+M+
They react with acids to form salts
NaOH +HCl→ NaCl +H2O
They react with alcohol to form alkoxide
ROH +MOH → RO-M+ + H2O
They absorb CO2 and H2S
NaOH +CO2 →NaHCO3
They react with Al2O3
Al2O3 +2NaOH → NaAlO2
Alkalis attack glass
SiO2 + 2NaOH → Na2SiO3 +H2O
 S Block elements
Halides
They are stable compounds They have rock salt type structure. NaCl forms FCC, CsCl,
CsBr and CsI have a Body centered cubic structure . The halides are ionic except LiI
which is covalent. They have high electrical conductivity. They exhibit high negative
enthalpies of formation
NaCl +H2SO4 → NaHSO4 +HCl
Preparation
M2O + 2HX → 2MX + H2O
M2CO3+ 2HX → 2MX + CO2 + H2O
Poly halides MI3 KI +I2 → KI3
RbI3,CsI3 are anhydrous and crystalline. RbBr3,CsBr3 are also known.

NaCl KCl CsCl

 S Block elements

Carbonates and bicarbonates

Alkali metals form carbonates of the type M2CO3. bicarbonates of the two MHCO3.
Na2CO3and NaHCO3 are industrially important.
Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O → 2NaHCO3 it reacts with acids
NaHCO3 +HCl → NaCl + CO2↑+ H2O
N heating
NaHCO3→Na2CO3 + CO2↑+ H2O as it produces CO2↑with ease it is used in fire
extinguishers. . Alkali metal carbonates except Li2CO3 are soluble in water. Anhydrous
Na2CO3 .10 H2O soda ash (washing soda).
Hydrides
Alkali metals form hydrides of he type MH. They are ionic in nature. They acts as good
reducing agents(Reference ionic hydrides)
 S Block elements
Important compounds of alkaline earth metals
Oxides- All alkaline earth metals tend to form monoxide (MO) except beryllium
2Ba +O2→2BaO. ;2Mg +O2→2MgO
Nitrate ,Carbonates ,sulphates and hydroxides on heating produce the oxides
Ba(NO3)2 → BaO ; SrSO4 →SrO ;Ca(OH)2→CaO,white solid soluble in water forming
hydroxides. good conductors of heat, chemically inert, electrical insulator
MO+H2O →M(OH)2 ;dissolve in acid to give salt
BeO +HCl → BeCl2 ; BeO +NaOH →Na2BeO2(odium beryllate)
BaO +H2SO4→ BaSO4 ; CaO used in cement, glass industry, softening of water
Peroxides: Except be other metals form peroxides of the type MO2
Ca(OH)2 +H2O2 →CaO2;BaO →BaO2; in the presence of H+ peroxides form hydrogen
peroxide BaO2 +HCl →H2O2 +BaCl2
Hydroxides all metals except Be form hydroxides of the type M(OH)2
MO+H2O →M(OH)2 ;Be(OH)2 is amphoteric all other hydroxides are basic, Ca(OH)2 is
lime water, Ba(OH)2 is baryta used for detecting CO2; Ca(OH)2 + CO2 →Ca(HCO3)
( soluble)
 S block elements
Carbonates CaCO3 most important –limestone ,they are slightly soluble in water
,solubility decreases down the group, they undergo thermal decomposition
BaCO3 → BaO + CO2↑ ; BaCO3 most stable and BeCO3 is least stable ;hydration
energy is maximum for BeO. Solubility can be explained based on hydration energy.
Be2+ has the highest hydration energy. M(HCO3)2 unlike alkali metals exist in solution
Sulphates all metals form sulphates MSO4; CaSO4.2H2O –gypsum; CaSO4.1/2H2O
plaster of paris.
Preparation: BaCl2 + H2SO4→BaSO4 sulphates are white solids sparingly soluble in
water; MgSO4 →MgO +SO3 ;BaSO4 +4C → BaS +4CO
Halides They form halides of the type MX2 ; all halides are soluble in water,fluorides
are least soluble. Chlorides ,bromides and iodides of Mg,Ca,Sr,Ba are ionic
chlorides are well known.BeCl2 is a linear molecule with sp hybridization. They are
hygroscopic and form hydrates .BeCl2 behaves as Lewis acids
Ca+HCl →BaCl2; CaCO3 +HCL
 S Block elements
Hydrides
They form hydrides of the type MH2. BeH2 and MgH2 are covalent hydrides. They are
polymeric in nature. All other alkaline earth metal hydrides are ionic in nature
(Reference Hydrides)