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The s-Block
Elements
s-block

The first two

columns constitutes
s-Block
 Group 1 (s-block)

Lithium (Li)

Collectively known as Sodium (Na)

the alkali metals
Potassium (K)

They form strongly- Rubidium (Rb)

alkaline hydroxides
with water.
Caesium (Cs)

Francium (Fr)
 Group 2 (s-block)

Elements Ca, Sr, Ba, Beryllium (Be)

& Ra are collectively
known as the Alkaline Magnesium (Mg)
earth metals..
Calcium (Ca)
Their oxides &
hydroxides are Strontium (Sr)
alkaline in nature &
these metal oxides Barium (Ba)
are found in the
earth’s crust. Radium (Ra)
 Properties of Group I Elements

Electronic Configuration:
1 2 Atomic & Ionic radius
[Noble gas] ns1

Most electropositive metals

Down the Atomic & ionic
group radius increases
Readily lose electron to
give unipositive M+ ion

Never found in
free state in nature
Properties of Group I Elements

3 Ionisation Enthalpy

Down the group Ionisation enthalpy

Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

Properties of Group I Elements

4 Hydration Enthalpy

Down the group Hydration enthalpy

Smaller the ion, higher is the charge

density, higher is the hydration enthalpy.

Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+

Properties of Group I Elements
Melting point &
5 Boiling point

Low M.P. & B.P. due to weak metallic

bonding (single valence electron).

Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

 Flame Test

Alkali metals and their salts impart

characteristic color to oxidising flame.

Li Na K Rb Cs
Crimson Violet/ Red-
Yellow Blue
red Lilac Violet
Chemical Properties

Highly reactive due to their

low ionisation enthalpy.

The reactivity of these metals

increases down the group.

Because of their high reactivity

towards air and water, they are
normally kept in kerosene oil.
 Reaction with Air
Alkali metals tarnish
a Reaction with air in dry air due to the
formation of their oxides.

Li Oxide 4Li + O2 2Li2O

Na Peroxide 2Na + O2 Na2O2

Others Superoxide M + O2 MO2

M = K, Rb, Cs
 Oxides

Stability of the
Size of the
peroxide or
metal ion
superoxide

Due to the stabilization of large anions by

larger cations through lattice energy effects.
Hydroxides

Oxides are easily hydrolysed by

water to form the hydroxides.

M2O + H2O 2MOH

M2O2 + 2H2O 2MOH + H2O2

2MO2 + 2H2O 2MOH + H2O2 + O2

Reaction with Air

Li shows exceptional behaviour in reacting

directly with nitrogen (at room temperature).

6Li + N2 2Li3N

Other members of this group do not react

with nitrogen directly.
 Chemical Properties

Lithium has the most negative

E ° value (E °(M+/M) = -3.05 V)
b Reaction with water

But its reaction with water is less

2M (s) + 2H2O (l) 2MOH (aq) + H2 (g) vigorous than that of sodium,
which has the least negative E°
(E°(M+/M) = -2.71 V) value among the
M = Alkali Metal
alkali metals. The reaction of K is
even more vigorous than sodium.
Reaction with Water

Since the melting point

decreases down the group, the
reaction with water becomes
more and more vigorous.

Surface area Reaction is

exposed to water kinetically faster
 Chemical Properties

Reaction with Reaction with

c d
dihydrogen halogens

2M + H2 2M+H–
Alkali metals react vigorously with
halogens to form ionic halides, M+X–.
Alkali metals react with H2
to form ionic hydrides
2M + X2 2M+X–
Stability of hydrides decreases
down the group
 Alkali Metal Halides

Halides having ionic nature

Lithium halides have more covalent
have high M.P. and are good
character because of the high
conductors of electricity
polarisation capability of Li+ ion.
in fused state.

Since anions with large size can

easily be distorted, lithium iodide These are readily
is the most covalent in nature. soluble in water.
 Alkali Metal Halides

Low solubility For a given metal (M), ΔfH° (MX)

in water always becomes less negative
on going from MF to MI.

LiF CsI
Electropositive |ΔfHo| of Alkali
character metals halides
Smaller
High lattice (Li to Cs) (Cl2, Br2, I2)
hydration
enthalpy
enthalpy
Alkali metal fluorides
follow the reverse order.
 Chemical Properties
Sublimation
e Reducing nature M (s) M (g)
enthalpy

M (g) M+ (g) + e– Ionisation

Alkali metals are strong
enthalpy
reducing agents.

M+ (g) + H2O (l) M+ (aq) Hydration

Li is the most powerful enthalpy
& Na is the least
Reducing nature depends on reduction
powerful. potential which is resultant of sublimation,
ionisation and hydration enthalpy of
elements.
 Reducing Nature

Accounts for its high

Due to the small size of
negative E°(M+/M) value
Li+ ion, it has the highest
& therefore, has high
hydration enthalpy.
reducing power.

Reducing nature in
gaseous phase
Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs

Reducing nature in
aqueous phase
Li > Cs > Rb > K > Na
 Chemical Properties

Solutions in liquid Ammoniated cation

f
ammonia
M+ + x (NH3) [ M(NH3)x ]+

Alkali metals dissolve in liquid

ammonia giving deep blue solution
which is conducting, reducing, Ammoniated electron
& paramagnetic in nature.

e– + y (NH3) [e(NH3)y]–
M + (x + y)NH3 [M(NH3)x]+ + [e(NH3)y]–
Solutions in Liquid Ammonia

Properties Reason

Blue colour Ammoniated electron

Paramagnetic Ammoniated electron

Ammoniated M+ ion &

Conducting
Ammoniated electron

The ammoniated electrons in the solution absorb

energy in the visible region, imparting blue colour.
Solutions in Liquid Ammonia

On standing, the colour fades due to

formation of amide after liberating hydrogen.

1
M+ + e– + NH3 MNH2 (amide) + H (g)
2 2

Concentrated metal-ammonia
solutions have a metallic bronze
colour & are diamagnetic.

2e– + 2(NH3)y [e–(NH3)y]2

 Salts of Oxo-Acids

Oxo-acids

Compounds which contain oxygen,

at least one hydrogen bound to
oxygen, and which produce a
conjugate base by proton loss.

Sulphuric acid Carbonic acid

HClO4, H2SO4, H2SO4 H2CO3
Examples
H2CO3 etc.
 Carbonates

Hydrolysis of carbonate Na2CO3 + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2CO3

Carbonates (M2CO3) are

Electropositive
highly stable to heat. Stability
character
of salt
(from Li to Cs)
M = Alkali Metal

Thermal stability

Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3

 Bicarbonates

LiHCO3 does not exist

Bicarbonates are decomposed in solid form due to
at relatively low temperatures.

High polarising power of Li+

300ºC
2MHCO3 M2CO3 + H2O + CO2
Uncomparable size of Li+
cation and HCO3– anion
 Carbonates & Bicarbonates

Solubility in water

Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3

NaHCO3 < KHCO3 < RbHCO3 < CsHCO3

 Anomalous Behaviour of Lithium
Anomalous Anomalous behaviour of lithium is due to:
behaviour

Lithium belongs to group I Exceptionally small size of

1
but some of its properties its atom and ion
are different as compared
to other elements in the
group. High polarising power
2
(i.e. charge/radius ratio)

Results in the increased covalent

character of lithium compounds.
 Anomalous Behaviour of Lithium

1 Li is much harder. M.P. and B.P. Li is the least reactive but is

3
are higher than other alkali metals. the strongest reducing agent.

LiCl is deliquescent and crystallises 4 Combustion in air

2
as a hydrate, LiCl.2H2O.
Li forms monoxide (Li2O) and
nitride (Li3N).
Whereas, other alkali metal
chlorides do not form hydrates.
Anomalous Behaviour of Lithium

Lithium hydrogen carbonate is

5
not obtained in the solid form.

All other elements form solid

hydrogen carbonates.

Lithium forms no ethynide

6
on reaction with ethyne.

Other alkali metals form ethynide

on reaction with ethyne.
 Anomalous Behaviour of Lithium

Other alkali metal nitrates

Lithium nitrate when heated decompose to give the
7
gives lithium oxide, Li2O. corresponding nitrites.

Δ
4LiNO3 2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2 Δ
2NaNO3 2NaNO2 + O2

LiF and Li2O are comparatively much less

8 soluble in water than the corresponding
compounds of other alkali metals.
 Similarities Between Li and Mg

Similarity arises because

of their similar ionic sizes

Lithium shows some

similarities with magnesium Atomic radii Ionic radii
(Group 2 element , diagonal
to Li in periodic table). It is
called diagonal relationship.
Li 152 pm Li + 76 pm

Mg 160 pm Mg2+ 72 pm
 Similarities Between Li and Mg

Both Li and Mg are Li and Mg react slowly

1 2
harder and lighter. with water.

Li2O and MgO do not combine with

3
excess oxygen to give any super oxides.

Their carbonates decompose easily

4
on heating to form oxides and CO2.

Solid hydrogen carbonates are

not formed by Li and Mg.
Similarities Between Li and Mg

Both LiCl and MgCl2 are

5 deliquescent and crystallise as
hydrates, LiCl.2H2O & MgCl2.6H2O.

Both LiCl and MgCl2

6
are soluble in ethanol.

Both form nitrides, Li3N and Mg3N2,

7
by direct combination with nitrogen.
Compounds of Sodium
& Potassium
 Sodium oxide (Na2O): Preparation and Properties

Preparation Properties

a) Na2O2 + 2Na 2Na2O

1 It is a white amorphous substance.

b) 2NaNO3 + 10Na 6Na2O + N2

It dissolve violently in water,

2 yielding caustic soda (NaOH) and
c) 2NaNO2+ 6Na 4Na2O + N2 evolving a large amount of heat.

d) 3NaN3 + NaNO2 2Na2O + 5N2 Na2O + H2O 2NaOH

Preparation of Sodium peroxide(Na2O2)

To prepare Na2O, two stage

reaction involved in
the presence of excess air.

2Na + O2 Na2O

Na2O + O2 Na2O2
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): Preparation

Cathode Mercury

NaOH is prepared by
the electrolysis
of brine solution in
Castner-Kellner cell. Anode Carbon
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): Preparation

1
Anode (+) Cl¯ Cl2 + e¯
2

Na+ + e¯ Na
Cathode (-)
Na + Hg Na-amalgam

2Na-amalgam + 2H2O 2NaOH + 2Hg + H2

 Castner-Kellner Cell
Na+ reduced to Na at cathode and mix
with Hg forming sodium amalgam. It
Graphite Anode
moves along downward slope and
4.5 V
450000 A
washed with water where Na free from
Hg reacts with water to form NaOH and
hydrogen gas is liberated.
Cl2 Cl2
H2
NaCl Cl-
NaCl NaOH

Na+ H2 NaOH
Na-HgX H2O
Na-HgX

Hg
Pump
Properties of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

1 White translucent solid

2 Melting point is 591 K

Highly soluble in water to

3
give strong alkaline solution

4 Crystals of NaOH are deliquescent

 Chemical Properties of NaOH

a) CO2 + 2NaOH Na2CO3 + H2O

b) Al2O3 + 2NaOH 2NaAlO2 + H2O

c) 4P + 3NaOH + 3H2O PH3 + 3NaH2PO2

Δ
d) 6NaOH + 4S Na2S2O3 + 2Na2S + H2O
 Chemical Properties of NaOH

e) 2Al + 2NaOH + 2H2O 3H2 + 2NaAlO2

FeCl3 + 3NaOH Fe(OH)3 + 3NaCl

f)
Brown ppt.

450 K
g) NaOH + CO HCOONa
 Petroleum
refining
Preparation
Purification
of pure fats
of bauxite
and oils
Uses of
sodium
hydroxide In textile
Manufacturing industries for
of artificial silk mercerising
cotton fabrics
Manufacturing
of soap, paper
 Sodium Carbonate
(Washing Soda, Na2CO3.10H2O)
Preparation by Solvay Process

a In ammonia absorber

NH3 is highly soluble in

water. With CO2, it forms
2NH3 + CO2 + H2O (NH4)2CO3 ammonium bicarbonate.
Calcium and magnesium
salts are precipitated as
CaCl2 + (NH4)2CO3 CaCO3 + 2NH4Cl carbonates and removed
from the reaction.

MgCl2 + (NH4)2CO3 MgCO3 + 2NH4Cl

Preparation by Solvay Process

b In carbonation tower

Ammonium
NH3 + CO2 + H2O NH4HCO3 bicarbonate on
reacting with NaCl,
gives NaHCO3
(very less soluble in
30oC water).
NH4HCO3 + NaCl NaHCO3 + NH4Cl
 Preparation by Solvay Process

c Calcination to get sodium carbonate

150oC
2NaHCO3 Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

d In recovery tower

Δ NH3 and CO2

NH4HCO3 NH3 + CO2 + H2O produced during
steam
reactions is utilised to
Δ
produce more
2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 2NH3 + 2H2O + CaCl2 NaHCO3
steam
 Remember

Solvay process cannot be extended

to the manufacture of K2CO3
because KHCO3 is soluble in water.
 Properties

Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline solid

1 which exists as a decahydrate, Na2CO3·10H2O.

On heating, the decahydrate

loses its water of crystallisation to
form monohydrate, Na2CO3.H2O.

373 K
Na2CO3.10H2O Na2CO3.H2O + 9H2O
 Properties

2 It is readily soluble in water

Above 373 K, the monohydrate becomes
completely anhydrous and changes to a
white powder called soda ash.
Carbonate part of sodium
carbonate gets hydrolysed by
> 373 K water to form an alkaline solution.
Na2CO3.H2O Na2CO3 + H2O

Soda ash
Na2CO3 + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2CO3
 In water softening,
laundering, and
cleaning

In the manufacture Uses of Used in qualitative

of glass, soap,
sodium and quantitative
borax, and caustic
carbonate analysis
soda

In paper, paints and

textile industries
 Preparation and Properties of NaHCO3
Preparation Properties

NaHCO3 can be prepared by bubbling 1 White crystalline solid

carbon dioxide through a saturated
solution of the carbonate.
2 Less soluble than sodium
carbonate in water

Na2CO3 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l) 2NaHCO3 (s) 3 On heating, it loses CO2 and
H2O forming Na2CO3

Δ
2NaHCO3 Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
 Uses

1 Used for making baking powder.

2 Mild antiseptic for skin infections.

3 Used in fire extinguishers.

 Found in nature as rock
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) salt or in sea water.
Properties

It is non-hygroscopic, but the

1 presence of MgCl2 in common
salt renders it hygroscopic.

2 NaCl melts at 1073 K.

It has a solubility of 36.0 g in

3 100 g of water at 298 K.
 Uses

Used as common salt for

1
domestic purpose.

Used for the preparation of

2
Na2O2, NaOH and Na2CO3
 Preparation and Properties of KO2
Preparation Properties

2H2O
2KOH + H2O2 + O2
Potassium superoxide(KO2) is
prepared by burning CO
potassium in excess of K2CO3 + O2
oxygen free from moisture. 2KO2
CO2
K2CO3 + O2
K + O2 KO2
S
K2SO4
Preparation of Potassium Sesquioxide

It is obtained when oxygen is

passed through liquid ammonia
containing potassium.

3O2
4K (dissolved in liquid NH3) 2K2O3

– 2–
K2O3 exists as (K+)4 (O2)2 (O2 )
 Biological Importance
of Na and K

Biological
Importance of
Na and K
Biological Importance of Na and K

A typical 70 kg man contains about 90 g

of Na and 170 g of K compared to only
5 g of iron and 0.06 g of copper.

Na+ participates in the transmission of nerve

signals, in regulating the flow of water
across cell membranes and in transporting
sugars and amino acids into cells.
 Biological Importance of Na and K

Most abundant cations

within cell fluids where
they activate many
enzymes

K+
With sodium, ions
Participate in the
responsible for
oxidation of glucose
the transmission
to produce ATP
of nerve signals
Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkaline
Earth
Metals
Group 2 (s-block)

Beryllium (Be)
Elements Ca, Sr, Ba,
& Ra are collectively
Magnesium (Mg) known as the alkaline
earth metals.
Calcium (Ca)

Strontium (Sr) Their oxides & hydroxides

are alkaline in nature &
Barium (Ba) these metal oxides are
found in the earth’s crust.
Radium (Ra)
Electronic Configuration

Electronic configuration:
[Noble gas] ns2

The compounds of
these elements are
predominantly ionic
(except Be).
Atomic and Ionic Radii

Alkaline Corresponding
earth metals < alkali metals

Down the Atomic/Ionic

group radii
 Ionisation Enthalpy

I.E.1 of alkali I.E.1 of alkaline

<
Ionisation enthalpy increases
metal earth metal
Atomic size increases

I.E.2 of alkali I.E.2 of alkaline

metal > earth metal
 Hydration Enthalpy

Hydration enthalpies of alkaline earth metal ions decrease

with the increase in ionic size down the group.

Be2+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > Sr2+ > Ba2+

Compounds of alkaline earth metals are more

extensively hydrated than those of alkali metals.

MgCl2 and CaCl2 exist as While NaCl & KCl do not

MgCl2.6H2O and CaCl2.6H2O form such hydrates
 Physical Properties

Silver-coloured Relatively soft

(Be & Mg are (Harder than
greyish) alkali metals)

Physical
Properties

Strongly High electrical

electropositive and thermal
in nature conductivities
Physical Properties

They have low M.P. and B.P. but are

higher than the corresponding alkali metals.

Be Sr Ba
 Flame Test
The alkaline earth metals and their salts impart
characteristic color to an oxidising flame.

Brick red Crimson red Apple-green

The electrons in Be & Mg

are strongly bound to Do not impart any
get excited by flame. colour to the flame.
 Chemical Properties

a Reaction with Air

Alkaline earth metals are less
reactive than the alkali
metals. Be is inert in air as its surface is passivated
by the formation of a thin layer of BeO.

The reactivity of these

elements increases down the Mg & Ca also tarnish in air with the formation
group. of an oxide layer, but will burn completely to
their oxides and nitrides when heated.

Sr and Ba are readily attacked by air.

Chemical Properties

Powdered Be burns brilliantly

Δ
2Be + O2 2BeO (amphoteric)

Δ
3Be + N2 Be3N2

All the Group 2 elements form

normal oxides with oxygen except
Ba, which forms the peroxide.
 Reaction with Air
1 3
Mg burns
with dazzling
brilliance in
air to give
MgO and
Mg3N2.
2

3Mg + N2 Mg3N2
Oxides

Oxides of alkaline earth metals are

basic in nature (Except BeO).

They react with water to

form hydroxides.

MO + H2O M(OH)2

(M = Alkaline earth metal)

Nitrides

They react with water to

form hydroxides.

Be3N2 + 6H2O 3Be(OH)2 + 2NH3

Mg3N2 + 6H2O 3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3

 Chemical Properties

b Reaction with Water

Mg decomposes boiling water

but Be is not attacked by water Mg + 2H2O Mg(OH)2 + H2
even at high temperatures.

Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ra decompose

cold water readily with the M + 2H2O M(OH)2 + H2
evolution of hydrogen.
Reaction with Water
Mg and Be do not react with cold water
while Sr and Ba react with cold water to
produce hydrogen gas.
 Hydroxides

Mg(OH)2 < Ca(OH)2 < Sr(OH)2 < Ba(OH)2

Order of solubilities, thermal stabilities, and basic character.

Alkaline earth metal hydroxides

are less basic and less stable
than alkali metal hydroxides.
 Hydroxides

Beryllium hydroxide is amphoteric in nature.

Be(OH)2 + 2OH - [Be(OH)4]2-

Be(OH)2 + H2SO4 BeSO4 + 2H2O

 Chemical Properties

Reaction with
c BeF2 is best formed by the thermal
Halogens
decomposition of (NH4)2BeF4.

Group 2 elements directly

BeCl2 is conveniently
combine with halogens on
made from the oxide.
heating to give metal halides.

M + X2 MX2 600-800 K
BeO + C + Cl2 BeCl2 + CO
(X = F, Cl, Br, I)
(M = Alkaline earth metal)
 Beryllium Chloride

BeCl2 forms chloro-bridged

dimer in the vapour phase.

Cl
Beryllium chloride has a chain
Cl Be Be Cl
structure in the solid state.
Cl
Halides

Halides of alkaline earth metals are

ionic in nature (except for BeX2).

Ionic character of halides

increases from Be to Ra.

The tendency to form halide hydrates

gradually decreases down the group.

Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba

 Halides

The dehydration of hydrated chlorides,

bromides, and iodides of Ca, Sr, and Ba
can be achieved on heating.

The corresponding hydrated halides of Be

and Mg on heating undergo hydrolysis.

Δ
[Be(H2O)4]Cl2 Be(OH)2 + 2H2O + 2HCl
 Halides

Down the Size of the Hydration Solubility

group metal ion energy of halides

The fluorides are relatively less

soluble than the chlorides due
to their high lattice energies.
 Chemical Properties

Reaction with
d
dihydrogen BeH2 can be prepared by the
action of LiAlH4 on BeCl2

Except Be, all the alkaline earth 2BeCl2 + LiAlH4 2BeH2 + LiCl + AlCl3
metals form hydrides (MH2)
on heating directly with H2.
Chemical Properties

e Reaction with acids

Alkaline earth metals readily react

with acids liberating dihydrogen.

M + 2HCl MCl2 + H2

(M = Alkaline earth metal)

Reaction with Acids

Calcium liberates hydrogen gas when reacted with acids like HCl.
 Chemical Properties

f Reducing nature

Alkaline earth metals are

strong reducing agents

Indicated by the large negative

values of their reduction potentials
 Reducing Nature

Reducing power of alkaline Be has a less negative value compared

earth metals is less than to other alkaline earth metals.
that of their corresponding
alkali metals.

Its reducing nature is due to the

large hydration energy associated
with the small size of Be2+ ion and
relatively large value of the
atomisation enthalpy of the metal.
 Chemical Properties

Solutions in liquid
h
ammonia

Dissolve in liquid ammonia to give deep blue

black solutions forming ammoniated ions.

M + (x + 2y)NH3 [M(NH3)x]2+ + 2[e(NH3)y] -

Uses of Alkaline Earth Metals

Used in the For making

Uses of
manufacture windows of
Beryllium
of alloys X-ray tubes

Milk of magnesia MgCO3 is an

Uses of
is used as an ingredient of
Magnesium
antacid. toothpaste.
Uses of Alkaline Earth Metals

In the extraction of
metals from oxides Uses of Used to remove air
which are difficult to Calcium from vacuum tubes.
reduce with carbon.

Radium salts are used

in radiotherapy.
General Characteristics
of Compounds of the
Alkaline Earth Metals
 General Characteristics

Carbonates

Group 2 metals form

compounds which are
predominantly ionic, but less Carbonates of alkaline earth
ionic than the corresponding metals are insoluble in water.
compounds of alkali metals.
Their solubility decreases
down the group.
 Carbonates
Solubility

BeCO3 > MgCO3 > CaCO3 > SrCO3 > BaCO3

Order of Thermal Stability

BeCO3 < MgCO3 < CaCO3 < SrCO3 < BaCO3

All carbonates decompose on heating to

give carbon dioxide and metal oxide.
Bicarbonates

Bicarbonates of alkaline earth

metals do not exist in solid state
but are known to exist in solution.

Δ
M(HCO3)2 MCO3 + CO2 + H2O
 Sulphates

The sulphates of the alkaline

Sulphates earth metals are all white
solids and stable to heat.

Thermal < < <

Stability
BeSO4 < MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4

Solubility in BaSO4
water BeSO4 > MgSO4 > CaSO4 > SrSO4 >
 General Characteristics

Nitrates Nitrates decompose on heating

to give the corresponding oxides
with evolution of a mixture of
nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
Hydrated nitrates, such as
Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, can be obtained
by treating the oxides, hydroxides,
& carbonates with nitric acid 2M(NO3)2 2MO + 4NO2 + O2
& crystallising the salt from the
resulting aqueous solution.
(M = Group 2 metals)
Anomalous Behaviour of Be

Properties of Be differ from the rest of

the group 2 elements because of:

Its small size and high

polarising power.

Relatively high E.N. and I.E. as

compared to other members.

Absence of vacant d-orbitals

in its valence shell.
 Anomalous Behaviour of Be
Nature of
1 Reaction with water 3
compounds
Be forms covalent compounds,
Be does not react with water
whereas other members
while Mg reacts with boiling water.
form ionic compounds.

Coordination
4
2 Nature of oxides number (C.N.)

Be does not exhibit C.N. more than

BeO is amphoteric while 4 as it has only four orbitals in its
MgO is weakly basic. valence shell while other members
of this group can have C.N. = 6
Diagonal Relationship between Be and Al
Diagonal
Relationship
 Diagonal Relationship

1 Reaction with acids 2 Nature of hydroxide

The hydroxides of Be and Al,

Like Al, Be is not readily Be(OH)2 and Al(OH)3, are
attacked by acids because of amphoteric in nature, whereas
the presence of an oxide film. those of other elements of
group 2 are basic in nature.
 Diagonal Relationship

3 Polymeric structure

BeCl2 and AlCl3 have bridged

chloride polymeric structure.
 Some Important
Compounds of Calcium
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) : Preparation

It can be prepared by passing

a
carbon dioxide through slaked lime. By the addition of sodium
b
carbonate solution to CaCl2.

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O

CaCl2 + Na2CO3 CaCO3 + 2NaCl

Excess of CO2 should be avoided
as it leads to the formation
of water soluble Ca(HCO3)2
 Properties of CaCO3

a It is a white fluffy powder, It reacts with dilute acids

c
almost insoluble in water. to liberate carbon dioxide.

It decomposes to give
b CO2 when heated at a CaCO3 + 2HCl CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
high temperature.

Δ
CaCO3 CaO + CO2 CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H2O + CO2
 Building
material
(marble)
Filler in Manufacture
cosmetics of quick lime
Uses of
calcium
carbonate
Mild abrasive Manufacture
in toothpaste of high quality
paper

Antacid
Calcium oxide (CaO) : Preparation
Also known as quick lime

It can be obtained by decomposing

limestone at a high temperature.

Δ
CaCO3 CaO + CO2

CO2 is removed as soon as it is

produced to enable the reaction
to proceed to completion.
 Properties of CaO
It combines with limited amount of
It is a white amorphous powder
a c water to produce slaked lime. This
of melting point 2843 K.
process is called slaking of lime.

On exposure to atmosphere, it It combines with some acidic

b d
absorbs moisture and CO2. oxides at high temperatures.

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2 CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3

CaO + CO2 CaCO3 6CaO + P4O10 2Ca3(PO4)2

 Properties of CaO

2H2O
Ca(OH)2 + C2H2
2300 K
CaO + 3C CaC2 + CO

N2
Ca(NCN) + C
Δ
3H2O
2NH3 + CaCO3
 Manufacturing
cement

Uses of Manufacture of
Purification
calcium Na2CO3 from
of sugar
oxide caustic soda

Manufacture of
dye stuffs
Calcium Hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) :Preparation

By spraying water on quick lime

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2

Also called as slaked lime.

 Properties of Ca(OH)2

The aqueous solution is known as lime

It is a white amorphous
a d water and a suspension of slaked lime
powder.
in water is known as milk of lime.

It is sparingly soluble
b When CO2 is passed through lime
in water.
e water, it turns milky due to the
formation of calcium carbonate.

c Its solubility in hot water is

less than that in cold water.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O
Properties of Ca(OH)2
On passing excess of CO2, calcium
hydrogen carbonate is formed.

CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O Ca(HCO3)2

Milk of lime reacts with chlorine to form

hypochlorite, a constituent of bleaching powder.

2Ca(OH)2 + 2Cl2 CaCl2 + Ca(OCl)2 + H2O

Bleaching
powder
 Preparation
of mortar
(Building material)

Uses of White wash

Preparation
calcium (Due to its
of sugar
hydroxide disinfectant nature)

Glass making
(Tanning industry)
Calcium Sulphate (Plaster of Paris)
1
[CaSO4. 2 H2O]
 Preparation of Plaster of Paris

Obtained when gypsum, is heated

at 120°C (393 K).

393 K 1 3
CaSO4.2H2O CaSO4. H2O + H O
Δ 2 2 2
Gypsum Plaster of Paris
 Properties of Plaster of Paris

It has the property of

a
setting with water.

Above 393 K, no water of crystallisation

b is left, and anhydrous CaSO4 is formed,
known as dead burnt plaster.
Uses

For immobilising the affected

1 part of organ where there is a
bone fracture.

For making casts of

2
statues, etc.

3 In making blackboard chalks.

 Cement

Limestone
Cement is a product obtained
by combining a material rich in
lime, CaO with other materials Raw materials
such as clay which contain
silica, SiO2 along with the Clay
oxides of Al, Fe, & Mg.
 Preparation

When clay and lime are strongly

heated together, they fuse and react
to form cement clinker

This clinker is mixed with 2-3% by weight

of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to form cement.
 Cement

Dicalcium silicate
(Ca2SiO4) 26%

Important
ingredients
Tricalcium silicate
present in
(Ca3SiO5) 51%
Portland
cement

Tricalcium aluminate
(Ca3Al2O6) 11%
 Setting of Cement

When mixed with water, the setting of

cement takes place to give a hard mass.

This is due to the hydration of the molecules

of the constituents & their rearrangements.

The purpose of adding gypsum is only to

slow down the process of setting of the
cement, so that it gets sufficiently hardened.
 Construction of
bridges, dams,
and buildings

Concrete &
Uses of
reinforced Plastering
Cement
concrete
Biological Importance of Mg and Ca
An adult body contains about 25 g
of Mg and 1200 g of Ca compared
to only 5 g of Fe and 0.06 g of Cu.

Calcium ions
All enzymes that utilise ATP in phosphate
Potassium ions
Sodium ions
transfer, require magnesium as the cofactor.
Magnesium ions

The main pigment for the absorption of light in

plants is chlorophyll, which contains magnesium.
Biological Importance of Mg and Ca

The calcium concentration in plasma is

regulated at about 100 mg/L. It is maintained
by calcitonin and parathyroid hormone.

About 99% of calcium in a human body

is present in bones and teeth.