Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)

ALKALINE EARTH METALS G-II

Alkaline Earth Metals and Their Compounds:
The group 2 of the periodic table consists of six metallic elements. These are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg),
calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). These are known as alkaline earth metals as their
oxides are alkaline and occur in earth crust.
ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION:
Element Electronic configurations (ns2)
4Be [He]2s2
12Mg [Ne]3s2
20Ca [Ar]4s2
38Sr [Kr]5s2
56Ba [Xe]6s2
88Ra [Rn]7s2
Radium was discovered in the ore pitch blende by madam Curie. It is radioactive in nature.
Occurrence: These are found mainly in combined state such as oxides, carbonates and sulphates Mg
and Ca are found in abundance in nature. The chief sources of Mg are sea water, underground brines, the
mineral dolomite (MgCO3.CaCO3) and magnesite (MgCO3). Calcium compounds are obtained from sea
shell e.g. CaCO3 and Gypsum (CaSO42H2O) which is one of the important mineral of calcium. Be is not
very abundant, Sr and Ba are less abundant. Ra is rare element.
(1) Physical state: All are greyish-white, light, malleable and ductile metals with metallic lustre. Their
hardness progressively decrease with increase in atomic number. Although these are fairly soft but
relatively harder than alkali metals.
(2) Atomic and ionic radii:
(i) The atomic and ionic radii of alkaline earth metals also increase down the group due to progressive
addition of new energy shells like alkali metals.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Atomic radius (pm) 112 160 197 215 222 -
Ionic radius of M2+ ion (pm) 31 65 99 113 135 140
(ii) The atomic radii of alkaline earth metals are however smaller than their corresponding alkali metal of
the same period. This is due to the fact that alkaline earth metals possess a higher nuclear charge
than alkali metals which more effectively pulls the orbit electrons towards the nucleus causing a
decrease in size.
(3) Density:
(i) Density decreases slightly upto Ca after which it increases. The decrease in density from Be to Ca
might be due to less packing of atoms in solid lattice of Mg and Ca.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
1.84 1.74 1.55 2.54 3.75 6.00
(ii) The alkaline earth metals are more denser, heavier and harder than alkali metal. The higher density of
alkaline earth metals is due to their smaller atomic size and strong intermetallic bonds which provide a
more close packing in crystal lattice as compared to alkali metals.
PAGE # (1) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR
Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(4) Melting point and Boiling point:
(i) Melting points and boiling points of alkaline earth metals do not show any regular trend.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Melting point (K) 1560 920 1112 1041 1000 973
Boiling point (K) 2770 1378 1767 1654 1413 -
(ii) The values are, however, more than alkali metals. This might due to close packing of atoms in crystal
lattice in alkaline earth metals.
(5) Ionisation energy and electropositive or metallic character:
(i) Since the atomic size decreases along the period and the nuclear charge increases and thus the
electrons are more tightly held towards nucleus. It is therefore alkaline earth metals have higher ionisation
energy in comparison to alkali metals but lower ionisation energies in comparison to p-block elements.
(ii) The ionisation energy of alkaline earth metals decreases from Be to Ba.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra

First ionization energy (kJ mol–1 ) 899 737 590 549 503 509
Second ionization energy (kJ mol–1) 1757 1450 1146 1064 965 979
(iii) The higher values of second ionisation energy is due to the fact that removal of one electron from the
valence shell, the remaining electrons are more tightly held in which nucleus of cation and thus more
energy is required to pull one more electron from monovalent cation.
(iv) No doubt first ionisation energy of alkaline earth metals are higher than alkali metals but a closer look
on 2nd ionisation energy of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals reveals that 2nd ionisation energy of
alkali metals are more.
Li Be

First ionization energy (kJ mol–1 ) 520 899

Second ionization energy (kJ mol–1) 7296 1757

This may be explained as:
𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝐬
Li: 1s2, 2s1 Li+ : 1s2 Li2+ : 1s1
𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧

𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝐬
Be: 1s2, 2s2 Be+ : 1s2 , 2s1 Be2+ :1s2
𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧
The removal of 2nd electron from alkali metals takes place from 1s sub shell which are more closer to nucleus
and exert more nuclear charge to hold up 1s electron core, whereas removal of 2nd electron from alkaline earth
metals takes from 2s sub shell. More closer are shells to the nucleus, more tightly are held electrons with
nucleus and thus more energy is required to remove the electron.

(v) All these possess strong electropositive character which increases from Be to Ba.

(vi) These have less electropositive character than alkali metals as the later have low values of ionisation
energy.

PAGE # (2) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(6) Oxidation number and valency:
(i) The IE1 of the these metals are much lower than IE1 and thus it appears that these metals should form
univalent ion rather than divalent ions but in actual practice, all these give bivalent ions. This is due to the
fact that M2+ ion possesses a higher degree of hydration or M2+ ions are extensively hydrated to form
[M(H2O)x]2+, a hydrated ion. This involves a large amount of energy evolution which counter balances the
higher value of second ionisation energy.
M M2+ , ∆H = IE1 + IE2
M2+ + xH2O  [M(H2O)x]2+ ; ∆H = – hydration energy.
(ii) The tendency of these metals to exist as divalent cation can thus be accounted as,
(a) Divalent cation of these metals possess noble gas or stable configuration.
(b) The formation of divalent cation lattice leads to evolution of energy due to strong lattice structure of
divalent cation which easily compensates for the higher values of second ionisation energy of these
metals.
(c) The higher heats of hydration of divalent cation which accounts for the existence of the divalent ions
of these metals in solution state.
(7) Hydration of ions:
(i) The hydration energies of alkaline earth metals divalent cation are much more than the hydration
energy of monovalent cation.
Mg+ Mg2+
Hydration energy or Heat of hydration (kJ mol–1) – 353 –1906
The abnormally higher values of heat of hydration for divalent cations of alkaline earth metals are
responsible for their divalent nature. MgCl2 formation occurs with more amount of heat evolution and thus
MgCl2 is more stable.
(ii) The hydration energies of M2+ ion decreases with increase in ionic radii.
Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+
Heat of hydration kJ mol–1 –2382 –1906 –1651 –1484 –1275
(iii) Heat of hydration are larger than alkali metals ions and thus alkaline earth metals compounds are
more extensively hydrated than those of alkali metals e.g MgCl2 and CaCl2 exists as MgCl2 .6H2O
and CaCl2. 6H2O which NaCl and KCl do not form such hydrates.
(iv) The ionic mobility, therefore, increases from Be2+ to Ba2+, as the size of hydrated ion decreases.
(8) Electro-negativities:
(i) The electronegativities of alkaline earth metals are also small but are higher than alkali metals.
(ii) Electronegativity decreases from Be to Ba as shown below.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba

Electronegativity 1.57 1.31 1.00 0.95 0.89

PAGE # (3) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(9) Conduction power: Good conductor of heat and electricity.
(10) Standard oxidation potential and reducing properties
(i) The standard oxidation potential (in volts) are,
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1.69 2.35 2.87 2.89 2.90
(ii) All these metals possess tendency to lose two electrons to give M2+ ion and are used as reducing
agent.
(iii) The reducing character increases from Be to Ba, however, these are less powerful reducing agent
than alkali metals.
(iv) Beryllium having relatively lower oxidation potential and thus does not liberate H2 from acids.
(11) Characteristic flame colours: The characteristic flame colour shown are : Ca - brick red; Sr– crimson ;
Ba-apple green and Ra- crimson.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
(1) Formation of oxides and hydroxides:
(i) The elements (except Ba and Sr) when burnt in air give oxides of ionic nature M2+O2– which are
crystalline in nature. Ba and Sr however give peroxide. The tendency to form higher oxides increases
from Be to Ra.
2M + O2 ⟶ 2MO (M is Be, Mg or Ca)
2Ca + O2 ⟶ 2CaO (Normal oxide)
2M + O2 ⟶ MO2 (M is Ba or Sr)
2Ba + O2 ⟶ BaO2 (Peroxide)
(ii) Their less reactivity than the alkali metals is evident by the fact that they are slowly oxidized on
exposure to air, However the reactivity of these metals towards oxygen increases on moving down the
group.
(iii) The oxides of these metals are very stable due to high lattice energy.
(iv) The oxides of the metal (except BeO and MgO) dissolve in water to form basic hydroxides and evolve
a large amount of heat. BeO and MgO possess high lattice energy and thus insoluble in water.
(v) BeO dissolves both in acid and alkalies to give salts i.e. BeO possesses amphoteric nature.
BeO+2NaOH⟶Na2BeO2+H2O
(Sodium beryllate)
BeO+2HCl⟶BeC l2+H2O
(Beryllium chloride)
(vi) The basic nature of oxides of alkaline earth metals increases from Be to Ra as the electropositive
Character increases from Be to Ra.

PAGE # (4) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(vii) The tendency of these metal to react with water increases with increase in electropositive character
i.e. Be to Ra.
(viii) Reaction of Be with water is not certain, magnesium reacts only with hot water,
Mg(s) + H2O(g)  MgO(s) + H2(g)
(steam)
While other metals react with cold water but slowly and less energetically than alkali metals.
M(s) + 2H2O(l)  M(OH)2(aq or s) + H2(g)
(water)
Ca(s) + 2H2O(l)  Ca(OH)2(aq or s) + H2(g)
(water)
(ix) The inertness of Be and Mg towards water is due to the formation of protective, thin layer of hydroxide
on the surface of the metals.
(x) The basic nature of hydroxides increase from Be to Ra. It is because of increase in ionic radius down
the group which results in a decrease in strength of M –O bond in M –(OH)2 to show more dissociation
of hydroxides and greater basic character.
(xi) The solubility of hydroxides of alkaline earth metals is relatively less than their corresponding alkali
metal hydroxides Furthermore, the solubility of hydroxides of alkaline earth metals increases from Be
to Ba. Be(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 (Milk of Magnesia)are almost insoluble, Ca(OH)2 (often called lime
water) is sparingly soluble whereas Sr(OH)2 and Ba (OH)2 (often called baryta water) are more
soluble. The trend of the solubility of these hydroxides depends on the values of lattice energy and
hydration energy of these hydroxides. The magnitude of hydration energy remains almost same
whereas lattice energy decreases appreciably down the group leading to more –Ve values for ∆H
solution down the group. ∆H solution = ∆H lattice energy +∆H hydration energy More negative is ∆H
solution more is solubility of compounds.
(xii) The basic character of oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals is lesser than their
corresponding alkali metal oxides and hydroxides.
(xiii) Aqueous solution of lime water [Ca(OH)2] or baryta water [Ba(OH)]2 are used to qualitative
identification and quantative estimation of carbon dioxide, as both of them gives white precipitate with
CO2 due to formation of insoluble CaCO3 or BaCO3
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O ;
(white ppt)
Ba(OH)2 + CO2  BaCO3 + H2O
(white ppt)
SO2 also give white ppt of CaSO3 and BaSO3 on passing through lime water or baryta water.
However on passing CO2 in excess, the white turbidity of insoluble carbonates dissolve to give a clear
solution again due to the formation of soluble bicarbonates.
CaCO3 +H2O + CO2 Ca(HCO3)2

PAGE # (5) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(2) Hydrides:
(i) Except Be, all alkaline earth metals form hydrides (MH2) on heating directly with H2. M+ H2 MH2.
(iii) BeH2 and MgH2 are covalent while other hydrides are ionic.
(iii) The ionic hydrides of Ca, Sr, Ba liberate H2 at anode and metal at cathode.
(v) The stability of hydrides decreases from Be to Ba.
(vi) The hydrides having higher reactivity for water, dissolves readily and produce hydrogen gas.
Ca H2(s) + 2H2O(l) Ca(OH)2(aq) +2H2(g)
(3) Carbonates and Bicarbonates:
(i) All these metal carbonates (MCO3) are insoluble in neutral medium but soluble in acid medium. These
are precipitated by the addition of alkali metal or ammonium carbonate solution to the solution of
these metals.
(NH4)2CO3 + CaCl2 2NH4Cl + CaCO3
Na2CO3 + BaCl2 2NaCl + BaCO3
(ii) Alkaline earth metal carbonates are obtained as white precipitates when calculated amount of carbon
dioxide is passed through the solution of the alkaline metal hydroxides.
M(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g)MCO3(s)+H2O(l) & sodium or ammonium carbonate is added to the solution of the
alkaline earth metal salt such as CaCl2.CaCl2(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) CaCO3(s) +2NaCl(aq)
(iii) Solubility of carbonates of these metals also decreases downward in the group due to the decrease of
hydration energy as the lattice energy remains almost unchanged as in case of sulphates.
(vi) The carbonates of these metals decompose on heating to give the oxides, the temperature of
decomposition increasing from Be to Ba. Beryllium carbonate is unstable.
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭
MCO3 MO+CO2
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭
CaCO3 CaO+CO2
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭
MgCO3 MgO+CO2
(4) Halides:
(i) The alkalie earth metals combine directly with halogens at appropriate temperatures forming
halides, MX2. These halides can also be prepared by the action of halogen acids (HX) on
metals, metal oxides, hydroxides and carbonates.
M + X2  MX2
Ca + Cl2  CaCl2
M + 2HX  MX2 + H2;
MO + 2HX  MX2 + H2O
M(OH)2 + 2HX MX2 +2H2O
MCO3 + 2HX  MX2 + CO2 + H2O
PAGE # (6) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR
Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
Beryllium chloride is however, conveniently obtained from oxide.
(ii) BeCl2 is essentially covalent, the chlorides MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2 and BaCl2 are ionic; the ionic character
increases as the size of the metal ion increases. The evidence is provided by the following facts,
(a) Beryllium chloride is relatively low melting and volatile whereas BaCl2 has high melting and stable.
(b) Beryllium chloride is soluble in organic solvents.
(iii) The halides of the members of this group are soluble in water and produce neutral solutions from
which the hydrates such: MgCl2.6H2O,CaCl2.6H2O.BaCl2.2H2O can be crystallised. The tendency to
form hydrated halides decreases with increasing size of the metal ions.
(iv) BeCl2 is readily hydrolysed with water to form acid solution, BeCl2 + 2H2O Be(OH)2 +2HCl.
(v) The fluorides are relatively less soluble than the chlorides due to high lattice energies. Except BeCl2
and MgCl2 the chlorides of alkaline earth metals impart characteristic colours to flame.
CaCl2 SrCl2 BaCl2
Brick red colour Crimson colour Grassy green colour
Structure of BeCl2: In the solid phase polymeric chain structure with three centre two electron bonding
with Be-Cl-Be bridged structure is shown below.

In the vapour phase it tends to form a chloro-bridged dimer whichdissociates into the linear triatomic
monomer at high temperature at nearly 1200 K.
(5) Solubility in liquid ammonia: Like alkali metals, alkaline earth metals also dissolve in liquid ammonia to
form coloured solutions When such a solution is evaporated, hexammoniate, M(NH3)6 is formed.
(6) Nitrides:
(i) All the alkaline earth metals direct combine with N2 give nitrides, M3N2.
3Ca + N2  Ca3N2
3Mg + N2  Mg3N2
3Be + N2  Be3N2
Be3N2 Is volatile while other nitrides are non-volatile.
(ii) The ease of formation of nitrides however decreases from Be to Ba.
(iii) These nitrides are hydrolysed water to liberate NH3,
M3N2+6H2O3M(OH)2 + 2NH3

Mg3N2+6H2O3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3

Ca3N2+6H2O3Ca(OH)2 + 2NH3

PAGE # (7) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(7) Sulphates:
(i) All these form sulphate of the type MSO4 by the action of H2SO4 on metals, their oxides, carbonates
or hydroxides.
M + H2SO4 MSO4 + H2 ; MO+ H2SO4  MSO4+ H2O
MCO3+ H2SO4  MSO4 + H2O+CO2
M(OH)2 + H2SO4  MSO4 + 2H2O
(ii) The solubility of sulphates in water decreases on moving down the group BeSO4 and MgSO4 are
fairly soluble in water while BaSO4 is completely insoluble. This is due to increases in lattice energy of
sulphates down the group which predominates over hydration energy.
(iii) Sulphate are quite stable to heat however reduced to sulphide on heating with carbon.
(8) Action with carbon: Alkaline metals (except Be, Mg) when heated with carbon form carbides of the type
MC2 These carbides are also called acetylides as on hydrolysis they evolve acetylene.
CaC2 + 2H2OCa(OH)2 + C2H2
Beryllium carbide is decomposed by water to form methane (CH4).
Be2C + 4H2O  2Be(OH)2 + CH4
(9) Nitrates: Nitrates of these metals are soluble in water On heating they decompose into their
corresponding oxides with evolution of a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
M(NO3)2MO + NO2 + (1/2) O2
Mg(NO3)2MgO + NO2 + (1/2) O2
Ca(NO3)2CaO + NO2 + (1/2) O2
(10) Formation of complexes: (i) Tendency to show complex ion formation depends upon smaller size, high
nuclear charge and vacant orbitals to accept electron. Since alkaline metals too do not possess these
characteristics and thus are unable to form complex ion.
(ii) However, Be2+ on account of smaller size forms many complex such as (BeF3)1-,(BeF4)2-.
Anomalous behaviour of Beryllium:
Beryllium differs from rest of the alkaline earth metals on account of its small atomic size, high
electronegativity Be2+ exerts high polarizing effect on anions and thus produces covalent nature in its
compounds. Following are some noteworthy difference of Be from other alkaline earth metals,
1. Be is lightest alkaline earth metal.
2. Be possesses higher m.pt. and b.pt than other group members.
3. BeO is amphoteric in nature whereas oxides of other group members are strong base.
4. It is not easily effected by dry air and does not decompose water at ordinary temperature.
5. BeSO4 is soluble in water.
6. Be and Mg carbonates are not precipitated by (NH4)2CO3 in presence of NH4Cl.
7. Be and Mg salts do not impart colour to flame.
PAGE # (8) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR
Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
8. Be does not form peroxide like other alkaline earth metals.
9. It does not evolve hydrogen so readily from acids as other alkaline earth metals do so.
10. It has strong tendency to form complex compounds.
11. Be3N2 is volatile whereas nitrides of other alkaline earth metals are non-volatile.
12. It’s salts can never have more than four molecules of water of crystallization as it has only four
available orbitals in its valence shell.
13. Berylium carbide reacts water to give methane whereas magnesium carbide and calcium carbide give
propyne and acetylene respectively.
Be2C+4 H2O  2Be(OH)2 + CH4
Mg2C3 + 4H2O2Mg(OH)2 + C3H6
CaC2 +2H2O Ca(OH)2 + C2H4
14. Number of molecules of water of crystallization: The salts of Be2+ ion cannot have more than four
molecules of water of crystallization while other alkaline earth metals have more than four molecules of
water of crystallization because in case of Be2+ ion there are only four orbitals. One orbital can accept lone
pairs of electrons donated by O-atoms on each of the water molecules as shown figure. on the other hand,
other alkaline earth metals like Mg can extend their coordination number to six by using one 3s, three 3p
and two 3d orbitals belonging to their outermost shell.
15. Formation of complex compounds: Be2+ ion, on account of its small size, forms stable complex
compounds like [BeF3]– [BeF4]2– while M2+ ions derived from other alkaline earth metals form very few
complex compounds.

PAGE # (9) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
Diagonal relationship of Be with Al
Due to its small size Be differs from other earth alkaline earth metals but resembles in many of its properties
with Al on account of diagonal relationship.
(1) Be2+ and Al3+ have almost same and smaller size and thus favour for covalent bonding.
(2) Both these form covalent compounds having low m. pt and soluble in organic solvent.
(3) Both have same value of electronegativity (i.e. 1.5).
(4) The standard O.P of these elements are quite close to each other; Be2+=1.69 volts and Al3+= 1.70 volts.
(5) Both become passive on treating with conc. HNO3 in cold.
(6) Both form many stable complexes e.g. (BeF3)–, (AlH4)–.
(7) Like BeO, Al2O3 is amphoteric in nature.
Also both are high melting point solids.
Al2O3 + 2NaOH  2NaAlO2 + H2O
Al2O3 + 6HCl 2AlCl3 + 3H2O
(8) Be and Al both react with NaOH to liberate H2 forming beryllates and alluminates.

Be + 2NaOH  Na2Be O2 + H2

2Al + 6NaOH 2Na3AlO3 + 3H2

(9) Be2 C and Al4C3 both give CH4 on treating with water.

Be2C+ 2H2OCH4 + 2BeOAl4C3 + 6H2O3CH4 + 2Al2O3

(10) Both occur together in nature in beryl ore, 3BeO.Al2O3. 6SiO2.

(11) Unlike other alkaline earths but like aluminium, beryllium is not easily attacked by air (Also Mg is not
attacked by air)
(12) Both Be and Al react very slowly with dil. HCl to liberate H2.
(13) Both Be and Al form polymeric covalent hydrides while hydrides of other alkaline earth are ionic.
(14) Both BeCl2 and AlCl3 are prepared is similar way.

BeO+ C+ Cl2 BeCl2 + CO

Al2O3 + 3C +3Cl2  2AlCl3 + 3CO

(15) Both BeCl2 and AlCl3 are soluble in organic solvents and act as catalyst in Friedel –Crafts reaction.
(16) Both Be (OH)2 and Al(OH)3 are amphoteric whereas hydroxides of other alkaline earths are strong alkali.
(17) The salts of Be and Al are extensively hydrated.
(18) BeC l2 and AlCl3 both have a bridged polymeric structure.
(19) Be and Al both form fluoro complex ions [BeF4]2– and [AlF6]3– in solution state whereas other members of
2nd group do not form such complexes.

PAGE # (10) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
 Diagonal Relationship of Li with Mg:
Due to its small size lithium differs from other alkali metals but resembles with Mg as its size is closer to Mg
Its resemblance with Mg is known as diagonal relationship. Generally the periodic properties show either
increasing or decreasing trend along the group and vice versa along the period which brought the
diagonally situated elements to closer values.
Following are the characteristic to be noted.

Period Group – I Group – II

2 Li Be

3 Na Mg
(1) Both Li and Mg are harder and higher m.pt than the other metals of their groups.
(2) Due to covalent nature, chlorides of both Li and Mg are deliquescent and soluble in alcohol and pyridine
while chlorides of other alkali metals are not so.
(3) Fluorides, phosphates of Li and Mg are sparingly soluble in water whereas those of other alkali metals are
soluble in water.
(4) Carbonates of Li and Mg decompose on heating and liberate CO2 Carbonates of other alkali metals are
stable towards heat and decomposed only on fusion.
Li2CO3  Li2O+CO2; MgCO3  MgO + CO2
(5) Hydroxides and nitrates of both Li and Mg decompose on heating to give oxide. Hydroxides of both Li and
Mg are weak alkali.
4LiNO3  2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
2Mg(NO3)2  2MgO + 4NO2 + O2
2LiOH  Li2O + H2O ; Mg(OH)2  MgO +H2O
Hydroxides of other alkali metals are stable towards heat while their nitrates give O2 and nitrite.
2KNO3  2KNO2 + O2
(6) Both Li and Mg combine directly with N2 to give nitrides Li3N and Mg3N2 . Other alkali metals combine at
high temperature, 6Li + N22Li3N; 3Mg + N2  Mg3N2. Both the nitrides are decomposed by water to
give NH3.
Li3N + 3H2O  3LiOH + NH3;
Mg3N2 + 6H2O  3Mg(OH)2+ 2NH3
(7) Bicarbonates of Li and Mg are more soluble in water than carbonates whereas carbonates of alkali metals
are more soluble.
(8) Both Li and Mg combine with carbon on heating.
2Li + 2C  Li2C2 ; Mg + 2C  MgC2

PAGE # (11) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR

Chemistry-PET-2022 Chapter – 13 (s-block element)
(9) The periodic properties of Li and Mg are quite comparable Li Mg Electronegativity 1.0 1.2

- Li Mg

Electronegativity 1.0 1.2

Atomic Radii 1.23 1.36

Ionic Radii 0.60 (Li) 0.65 (Mg)

Atomic volume 12.97 c.c 13.97 c.c

(10) Both have high polarizing power.

Polarizing Power = Ionic charge / (ionic radius)2.

(11) Li and Mg Form only monooxide on heating in oxygen.

4Li + O2  2Li2O ; 2Mg + O2  2MgO

(12) Li2SO4 like MgSO4 does not form alums.

(13) The bicarbonates of Li and Mg do not exist in solid state, they exist in solution only.

(14) Alkyls of Li and Mg (R.Li and R.MgX) are soluble in organic solvent.

(15) Lithium chloride and MgCl2 both are deliquescent and separate out from their aqueous solutions as

hydrated crystals, LiCl.2H2O and MgCl2.2H2O.

PAGE # (12) COMPOSED BY: M. HANIF MAHAR