EXPERIMENT 3: SOME FEATURES OF THE CHEMISTRY OF GROUP 1A

Title: SOME FEATURES OF CHEMISTRY OF GROUP IA

ABSTRACT
Group IA elements, also known as alkali metals, are highly reactive due to their
single valence electron in their outermost shell. This reactivity allows for rapid
electron loss during chemical reactions. As atomic size increases, the outermost
electron can be easily lost. Sodium and potassium react with water, while lithium has
a weaker reaction. Francium is the most reactive alkali metal, but its instability limits
its practical usage. Lithium has the lowest density but must be handled cautiously
due to its strong reaction with water or air. The study aims to emphasize the covalent
nature of lithium, a group 1 element, and its potential in separating lithium chloride
from potassium chloride. The experiment involved mixing lithium and potassium
chloride with ethanol in a closed tube, filtering off the solid, washing it with ethanol,
and drying it in a steam bath. The solution was tested for lithium ions with 4M
ammonium fluoride solution and ammonia, and potassium ions with sodium
hexanitrocobaltate. The solution was then mixed with aqueous ammonia, ammonium
fluoride, concentrated ammonium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium
phosphate, and mixed with sodium hydroxide and sodium phosphate. The solid
lithium carbonate was heated to redness for 2 minutes, then cooled before adding
4M hydrochloric acid to the cool residue. Alkali metal complexes are generally water-
soluble, except for high crystal lattice and low hydration energy. The ammonium ion,
a polyatomic ion, undergoes unique reactions like Li+, with different chemical
reactions due to its lattice and hydroxide energy.

INTRODUCTION
Because of their unusual chemical properties and reactivity, Group IA elements,
often known as alkali metals, have captivated scientists for ages. The elements of
Group IA have a single valence electron in their outermost shell, making them highly
reactive. Because of the low effective nuclear charge, the electron is retained
loosely, allowing for rapid electron loss during chemical reactions (Atkins, 2010). This
property is due to the strong reactivity of alkali metals. Furthermore, when the size of
the atoms in Group IA rises down the column, the outermost electron can be easily
lost. The progressive rise in atomic size is caused by adding an extra electron shell
as we travel down the group. Sodium and potassium easily react with water,
producing much hydrogen gas, but lithium has a weaker reaction (Knudsen, et al.,
1983). Furthermore, as the most reactive alkali metal, francium is highly unstable
and radioactive, which limits its practical usage. As we progress down the Group IA
metals, the physical properties show distinct patterns. The low melting and boiling
temperatures of alkali metals reflect the weak forces of attraction between their
atoms. Because of their low melting points, these metals may be easily melted and
cast into various shapes. Furthermore, as atomic mass increases down the column,
the concentrations of Group IA elements increase. Because lithium is the lightest of
the alkali metals, it has the lowest density. However, these components must be
handled with caution because they react severely with water or air.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To highlight the anomalously covalent nature of lithium compared to other group 1
elements and to leverage the covalent nature of lithium in separating lithium chloride
from potassium chloride.

METHOD
In a closed tube, lithium chloride (0.1g) and potassium chloride (0.2g) with ethanol (6
ml) were mixed. Filtered off the leftover solid and washed it with three 1 ml of
ethanol. Combined the filtrate and washings and dried that solution in the steam
bath. Tested 1 ml portions of the solution for (a) (i)lithium ions with 4M ammonium
fluoride solution (1 ml) and 4M ammonia (5 drops), and (ii)potassium ions with
sodium hexanitrocobaltate (III). Dissolved the remaining solid separated by filtering
in water (2ml). (b) (i)lithium ions with 4M ammonium fluoride solution (1 ml) and 4M
ammonia (5 drops), and (ii)potassium ions with sodium hexanitrocobaltate (III).

Added 5 drops of 4M aqueous ammonia and 1 ml of 4M ammonium fluoride solution

to 1 ml of lithium chloride solution. 5 drops of 4M aqueous ammonia and 1 ml of 4M
ammonium fluoride solution were added to 1 ml potassium chloride solution. 2(a) To
1 mL of lithium chloride solution added 5 drops of aqueous ammonia solution and
then 10 mL of concentrated ammonium carbonate solution, b) To 1 mL of lithium
chloride solution, added 5 drops of aqueous ammonia solution and then 10 mL of
concentrated ammonium chloride solution. Compared the results. c)To 1 mL of
potassium chloride solution, added 5 drops of aqueous ammonia solution, followed
by 10 mL of concentrated ammonium carbonate solution. The solution was allowed
to stand on its own. 2(a) was used to compare the observed results. d)Added 5
drops of 4M sodium hydroxide solution and 1 ml of sodium phosphate solution to 1
ml of lithium chloride solution. e) Mixed 1 ml potassium chloride solution with 5 drops
4M sodium hydroxide solution and 1 ml sodium phosphate solution. Compare the
outcomes to 2(d).

In a test tube, solid lithium carbonate (0.5g) was heated to redness for 2 minutes.
Allowed the tube to cool before a few drops of 4M hydrochloric acid were added to
the cool residue. In a test tube, heated solid potassium carbonate (0.5g) to redness
for 2 minutes. Allowed the tube to cool before applying a few drops of 4M
hydrochloric acid to the cool residue.

RESULTS
A. Separation of Lithium from other Alkali Metal ions
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION EXPLANATION
a) Evaporate filtrate and The solution turned Soluble in water and
wash to dryness. cloudy and formed a alcohol. NH4F is slightly
Dissolve the result solid precipitate soluble in alcohol and
solid in water and: insoluble in liquid
i) Add NH4F ammonia.
ii) Add solution of Blue precipitate was distinct blue precipitate,
N a3 ¿ formed. indicating the presence
of potassium ions
b) Dissolve the residual The solution becomes The precipitation is the
solid in water and: cloudy with white result of the formation of
i) Add 4M NH4F precipitation. a solid solution
comprising LiF, LiCl, and
KCl, indicating presence
of Li ions
ii) Add solution of The solution had a blue Indication of potassium
N a3 ¿ precipitate ions

B. Reactions of lithium ions

SUBSTANCE MIXED OBSERVATION EXPLANATION
1. Formation of a white, This is attributed to the
a) LiCl + aqueous milky precipitate reaction between the
NH 3 + N H 4 F NH3 and Li+ ions to form
lithium hydroxide
b) KCl + aqueous The solution remained The clarity of KCl when
NH 3 + N H 4 F clear. combined with aqueous
 NH3 and NH4F is due to
their favorable molecular
interactions, with NH3
stabilizing ionic
connections and NH4F
enhancing hydrogen
bonding, thereby
reducing precipitation of
K+ and Cl- ions.
2. the solution remained The clearness exhibited
a) LiCl + aqueous clear when LiCl is combined
N H 3 +Conc . ¿ with aqueous NHE3 and
(NH4)2CO3 is due to Li+
and Na+ ions' strong
hydration capabilities,
which enable dispersion
and visibility. Additionally,
the weak acid-base
characteristics of NH4+
and HCO3- ions
counterbalance the
acidification effects from
NH3.
b) LiCl + aqueous The solution remained The addition of NH4Cl
N clear like reaction 2a) enhances the clearness
H 3 +Conc . N H 4 Cl of a mixture by rapidly
dissociating into
ammonium and chloride
ions. Ammonium ions'
high solubility allows
them to remain dissolved,
while chloride ions create
a soluble molecule when
coupled with K+ ions.
c) KCl + aqueous the solution remained The clearness observed
N H 3 +Conc . ¿ clear. in the mixture of KCl with
aqueous NH3 and
(NH4)2CO3 results from
ions interaction,
equilibrium, and the
kinetics of the chemical
reactions involved. The
stable compounds
generated between
potassium ions and NH3,
as well as potassium
solubility
d) LiCl + NaOH + The solution remained Acid-base reactions
N a3 PO 4 clear. occur when three
solutions are mixed,
 resulting in the synthesis
of new molecules. NaOH
ions react with H+ ions to
form water, neutralizing
acidic species and
improving solution purity.
This interaction adds to
the lack of coloring.
e) KCl + NaOH + The solution remained When KCl, NaOH, and
N a3 PO 4 clear. Na3PO4 are combined,
multiple reactions occur
simultaneously. K+ ions
from KCl react with OH-
ions to form water, while
Na+ and Cl- ions interact
with phosphate and
sodium ions from
Na3PO4, producing NaCl
and Na3PO4, which are
soluble in water and do
not precipitate, resulting
in clear solution.

C. Action of heat on carbonates of Li+ and K+

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION EXPLANATION
1. Heat L i2 C O3for 5 The solution become The effervescence is
minutes. Test the clear there are bubbles as caused by the reaction
cool residue with a sign of effervescence. between Li2O and HCl,
4M HCl resulting in the formation
of lithium chloride and
water, which serves as an
indicator of lithium
presence.
2. Heat K 2 C O3 for 5 The color of the solution The observed
minutes. Test the changes from colorless to effervescence indicates
cool residue with pale milky white. Second, the production of carbon
4M HCl the odor changed slightly, dioxide gas, whereas the
with a mild but noticeable color change and the
change in scent and there formation of milky white
is effervescence as precipitate indicate the
bubbles. existence of insoluble KCl
and an interaction
between carbon dioxide
and water.
CONCLUSION
Alkali metal complexes are generally water-soluble, with just a few exceptions where
the crystal lattice energy is high enough and the hydration energy is low enough to
preclude significant solubilization. Though the ammonium ion is like the alkali metal
cations in many respects, the fact that it is a polyatomic ion implies that it undergoes
reactions that are unique to the ammonium ion. In many aspects, ammonium ions
behave chemically like Li+, including solubility patterns. Because of its lattice energy
and hydroxide energy, lithium has different chemical reactions than other alkali
metals.

References
Atkins, P., 2010. Shriver and Atkins' inorganic chemistry. USA: Oxford University Press.

Knudsen, D., Peterson, G. A. & Pratt, P. F., 1983. Lithium, sodium, and potassium. In: H. B, ed.
Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties. s.l.:s.n., pp. 225-246.