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The Group 1a and Group 2a Elements PDF
The Group 1a and Group 2a Elements PDF
The Group 1a and Group 2a Elements PDF
Group 1A
Group 1A
Qualitative alkali metal analysis
Alkali Metals
y The group 1A elements with their ns1 valence electron
configurations are very active metals. They lose their
valence electrons very readily. They have low ionization
energies and react with nonmetals to form ionic solids.
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) Æ 2NaCl(s)
y The expected trend in reducing ability,
Cs>Rb>K>Na>Li
y Alkali metals all react vigorously with water to release
hydrogen gas.
2M(s) + 2H2O(l) Æ 2M+(aq) + 2OH‐(aq) + H2(g)
y Observed reducing abilities: Li>K>Na
First ionization energy
Soda production
Properties and Trends in Group 1A
y The Group 1A metals exhibit regular trends for a
number of properties.
y Irregular trends suggest that factors are working
against each other in determining a property (such as
the density “discrepancy” between sodium and
potassium).
y The alkali metals have two notable physical properties:
they are all soft and have low melting points.
y When freshly cut, the alkali metals are bright and
shiny—typical metallic properties. The metals quickly
tarnish, however, as they react with oxygen in the air.
Alkali Metal Oxides
In the presence of ample oxygen,
The elements in each
encircled pair have
several similar
properties.
Occurrence, Preparation, Use, and
Reactions of the Alkali Metals
y Sodium and potassium are isolated primarily from
brines (solutions of NaCl and KCl).
y Lithium is obtained mostly from the mineral
spodumene, LiAl(SiO3)2.
y To convert an alkali metal ion into an alkali metal
atom, the ion must take on an electron—a process of
reduction.
y This is not easy with the alkali metals; they are
excellent reducing agents.
y Potassium was the first alkali metal to be prepared by
electrolysis.
The Hydroxides of Group 1A
y The hydroxides are white crystalline solids
y NaOH (318 ̊C)
y KOH (360 ̊C)
y Hydroxides are freely soluble exothermically in water
and in alcohols
y Strong alkali bases
Ionic salts
y Li has some special properties as compared to the
other elements of group 1
y LiOH is less soluble then the other Hydroxides
y Li3N is stable (the only stable Nitrite in this group)
y Electrical conductive
y Precipitation reactions: The larger the M‐ ion the more
salts are available.
y Na salts are very soluble, but the mixed salts with Zn
and Uranium can be used in quantitative analysis.
Complexation of Alakali Metals
The binding constants for 18‐crown‐6 : Li<Na,Cs<Rb<K
Biological transporters for Na and K
Valinomycin and Nonactin: small cyclic polypeptides are the carriers of
alkaline metals across membranes.
Reaction summary
Reaction summary
Group 2A elements
y Group 2A elements are very reactive
y Valence electron configuration ns2
y Lose 2 valence electrons to form noble gas configuration
y Form ionic compounds containing M2+ cations
y Oxides are basic:
MO(s) + H2O(l) Æ M2+(aq) + 2OH‐(aq)
y Ca, Sr, and Ba react vigorously with water:
M(s) + 2H2O(l) ÆM2+(aq) + 2OH‐(aq) + H2(g)
y Be form covalent bond because of small size and high
electronegativity
Be structure
2 e‐ 3 center bond
Mg
y Mg is intermediate in its behaviour between Be and
the other elements in this group.
y Its chemistry is entirely ionic in nature.
y Mg: high polarization ability
y The Hydroxides of Be and Mg are only slightly soluble
in water.
y The other hydroxides of this group are water soluble
and highly basic.
Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra
They form a closely related group with the change in
chemical and physical parameters follow a systematic
change.
e.g.
Electropositive nature increases from Ca‐>Ra.
Hydration energy of salts increase.
Insolubility of most salts, especially sulfates increases in
the same way.
Be and its compounds
y Be is obtained by Ca or Mg reduction of the BeCl2 or
BeF2 salts.
y Be metal is relatively unreactive. It does not react with
water at red heat, and does not react with air below
600 deg C.
y Reaction with air only as fine powder ‐> BeO, Be3N2.
y Be salts do not lose their water molecules over strong
desiccants (P2O5).
y Aqueous solutions of Be salts are acidic
Mg production
At 2000 degrees
Ca, Sr, Ba are made on a small scale from the Cl salts by
reduction with Na.
Ion exchange
y Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions cause the hardness of water. These ions
of hard water interfere with the action of detergents and
form precipitate with soap. Those ions are removed by ion
exchange with ion exchange resins.
y Ca2+ and Mg2+ are often removed during ion exchange,
releasing Na+ into solution.