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 S-BLOCK
ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 3

S-B
-BLLOCK ELEME
MENN TS

I nt r o du c t i on

Shells upto (n – 1) are completely filled and differentiating (last) electron enters into ns sub-or
bit. Elements under this class are called S-Block elements
• Alka li met a ls forms compounds with + 1 oxidation state and those of a lka line ear t h
met a ls + 2 oxidation state, ions having nearest noble gas configuration
• General electronic configurations is
[Inert gas] ns 1 - Alkali metals,
[Invert gas] ns 2 - Alkaline earth metals;

ALKAL
ALII M
MEETAS
Phys ic al Pr oper t i es

(a ) All the alkali elements are silvery white solids. These are soft in nature and can be cut with
the help of knife except lithium. When freshly cut, they have a bright lustre which quickly
fades due to surface oxidation. These are highly malleable and ductile.
The silvery lustre of alkali metals is due to the presence of highly mobile electrons of the
metallic lattice. There being only a single electron per atom, the metallic bonding is not so
strong. As a result of this, these metals are soft in nature. However, the softness increases
with increase of atomic number because there is continuous decrease of metallic bond strength
on account of an increase in atomic size. Bibber is the size of metal kernel weaker is the
metallic bonding.
(b ) At omic a nd ionic r ad ii : Group IA atoms are the largest in their horizontal periods in
the periodic table. When the outermost electron is removed to give a positive ion, the size
decreases considerably. There are two reason for this :
(i) The outermost shell of electrons has been completely removed.
(ii) The positive charge on the nucleus is now acting on lesser number of electrons, i.e.,
attraction increases which bring contraction in size.
Atomic as well as ionic size increases for Li to Fr due to the presence of one extra shell of
electrons.
Li Na K Rb Cs
At. radii (A) 1.23 1.57 2.03 2.16 2.35
Ionic radii (A) 0.60 0.95 1.33 1.48 1.67
Atomic volume also increases as the atomic number increases.
Li Na K Rb Cs
At. volume (mL) 13.0 23.7 44.4 55.8 69.3

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
4 QUIZRR
(c ) Densit y : All are light metals. The densities a re low. Lithium, sodium and potassium are
lighter than water. Density gradually increases in moving down from Li to Cs. Potassium
is, however, lighter than sodium.

Li Na K Rb Cs
Density (g/mL) 0.54 0.97 0.86 1.53 1.87

The reason for the low values is that these metals have high atomic volumes. The abnormal
value of potassium is due to unusual increase in atomic size. i.e., atomic volume.
(d) M elting a nd boiling point s : The energy binding the atoms in the crystal lattices of these
metals is relatively low on account of a single electron in the valency shell. Consequently,
the metals have low melting and boiling points. These decrease in moving down from Li to
Cs as the metallic bond strength decreases or cohesive force decreases.

Li Na K Rb Cs
Melting point (°C) 18 1 98 63 39 28.5
Boiling point (°C) 1347 88 0 766 688 70 5

(e) Ionisation ener gies and electr opositive cha r a ct er : Due to their large size, the outermost
electron is far from the nucleus and can easily be removed. Their ionisation energies or
ionisation potentials are relatively low. Thus, the metals have a great tendency to loss the
ns1 electron to change into M+ ions. These metals are highly electropositive in nature. As
the ionisation potential decreases from Li to Cs, the electropositive character increases, i.e.,
metallic character increases. The reactivity of the these metals increases from Li to Cs.
Li Na K Rb Cs
Ionisation potential (eV) 5.4 5.1 4.3 4.2 3.9
>
Decreases
Electropositive or
>
metallic nature Increas es
>
Reactivity Increas es
The ns 1 electron is so loosely held that even the low energy photons (light) can eject this
electron from the metal surface. This property is termed as photoelect r ic effect. K and Cs
are used in photoelectric cells which are sensitive to blue light.
(f) Oxidation states : The alkali metals can lose their ns 1 electron quite easily to form univalent
positive ion, M+ . The ion has a stable configuration of an inert gas.
Li + He-configuration
+
Na Ne-configuration
K+ Ar-configuration
+
Rb Kr-configuration
Cs + Xe-configuration
S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 5

The energy required to pull out another electron from M + ion is very high, i.e. the second
ionisation potential values are high

Li Na K Rb Cs
I2 (eV) 75.6 47.4 32.0 28.0 25.0

Consequently, it is not possible for alkali metals to form M2+ ions under ordinary conditions.
These metals, thus show only one oxidation state, i.e., +1 oxidation state. These metals are
univalent in nature and show electrovalency, i.e., form electrovalent compounds.
Since the electronic configuration of M+ ions are similar to those of inert gases, these ions
have no unpaired electrons and consequently are colour less and d iam a gnet ic in nature.

(g) Hydr a t ion of ions, hyd r a t ed r a dii hydr at ion ener gy : The salts of alkali metals are
ionic and soluble in water. The solubility is due to the fact cations get hydrated by water
molecules.

M   a q.  [M ( a q.) ]
(Hydra ted cation )

The smaller the cation, the greater is the degree of its hydration. Thus, the degree of
hydration of M + ions decreases from Li+ to Cs +. Consequently the radii of the hydrated ion
decreases from Li+ to Cs+ .

[Li(aq.)] + [Na(aq.)] + [K(a q.)] + [Rb(aq.)]+ [Cs(aq.)]+

Hydrated radii (A) 3.40 2.76 2.32 2.28 2.27

The ionic conductance of these hydrated ions increases from [Li(aq.)] + to [Cs(aq.)] +
Hydration of ions is an exothermic process. The energy released when one gram mole of an
ion is dissolved in water to get it hydrated is called hydration energy. Since the degree of
hydration decreases from Li + to Cs +, the hydration energy of alkali metal ion also decreases
from Li+ to Cs+ .

(h) Elect r onegat ivity : The tendency to attract electrons is low as the alkali metals are
electropositive. The electronegativity, thus, decreases from Li to Cs as the electropositive
character increases.

(i) C ond uct ivit y : The alka li metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. This is due
to the presence of loosely held valency electrons which are free to move throughout the
metal structure.

(j) Specific heat s : The specific heat values decrease from Li to Cs.
Li Na K Rb Cs
Specific heat at 0°C 0.94 0.29 0.17 0.08 0.05

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
6 QUIZRR
(k ) Hea t of a tomisa t ion : Heat of atomisation decreases from Li to Cs.
Li Na K Rb Cs
Heat of atomisation 163.6 104.2 83.2 79.5 75.7
(kJ mol –1 )
This is due to the decrease in the metallic bond strength from Li to Cs.

(l) Flam e colour a t ion : The alkali metals and their salts impart a characteristic colour to
flame.
The reason for flame colouration is that the energy of the flame causes an excitation of the
outermost electrons which on return to their original position give out the energy so absorbed
in the visible region. The energy released in minimum in the case of Li + and increases in
order Li+ , Na +, K+ , Rb+ , Cs+. Thus, the frequency of the light emitted increases in accordance
with the formula E = hv. The frequency of light in lithium is minimum which corresponds
to red region of the spectra.

(m ) R ed ucing na t ur e : An element, which acts as a reducing agent, must have low ionisation
energy. Alkali metals act as strong reducing agents as their ionisation energy values are
low. Since ionisation energy decreases on moving down from Li to Cs, the reducing property
increase in the same order. This, Li is weakest reducing agent while Cs is the strongest
reducing agent amongst alkali metals in free state.
The tendency of an element to lose an electron in solution is measure by its standard
oxidation potential value ( EOOX ). Since alkali metals have high E OOX values, these are strong
reducing agents. However, it is observed that Li is the strongest reducing agent amongst
alkali metals in solution as E OOX value of Li is maximum.

Li Na K Rb Cs
Oxidation potential (V) +3.05 +2.71 +2.93 +2.99 +2.99

It looks surprising at first sight that lithium having high value of ionisation energy amongst
alkali metals acts as strongest reducing agent in solution. This can be explained if we
understand the fact that ionisation energy is the property of an isolated atom in gaseous
state while oxidation potential is concerned when the metal atom goes into the solution.
The ionisation energy involves the change to ga seous atom to gaseous ion,

M ( g ) 
 M  (g) e

while oxidation potential involves the following change :

M (s )  M  (a q .)  e

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 7

The above change occurs in three steps :

(i) M (s ) M (g ) – sublimation energy

(ii) M (g ) M  (g ) + e–ionisation energy

(iii) M  (g )  H 2O  M  (a q .) + hydration energy

Sublimation energy is nearly same for all the alkali metals.

The energy required in (ii) step is the ionisation energy which is highest for lithium. Li + ion
is smallest in size, hence it has maximum degree of hydration. Thus, in (iii) step, maximum
hydration energy is released in lithium.
Li Na K
Step (i) +122 kJ +78 kJ +61 kJ
Step (ii) +520 kJ +496 kJ +419 kJ
Step (iii) – 480 kJ –371 kJ – 299 kJ
overall 162 kJ 203 kJ 181 kJ

Thus, with great ease the following overall change occurs in lithium and it acts as a strongest
reducing agent :

M (s )  M  (a q .)  e

I t is, t her efor e, conclud ed t ha t highest r ed ucing power of lithium in solut ion is due t o
its lar ge hea t of hydr a t ion.

Chemica
call Pr
Prooperties of Al
Alkkali Metal
alss
The alkali metals are highly reactive metals and the reactivity increases down the group. The
reactivity is due to
(a ) low value of first ionization energy
(b) large size
(c) low heat of atomization.
(1) React ion wit h air : All alkali metals except lithium tarnish in air due to formation of an
oxide or hydroxide on the surface. These are, therefore, always kept under kerosene oil to
protect them from air.

4 M  O 2  2M 2O

(where M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)

4Li + O 2 (excess)  2Li 2O (Lithium oxide)

2Na + O2 (excess)  Na 2O2 (Sodium peroxide)

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
8 QUIZRR
K + O 2 (excess)  KO 2 (potassium superoxide)
This difference is due to small size, Li+ has a strong positive field around it which attracts
the negative charge so strongly that is does not permit the oxide onion O 2– to combine with
+
another oxygen to form peroxide ion, O2–
2 . On the other hand, Na ion because of its large
size that Li+ ion has comparatively weaker positive field around it. which cannot prevent O 2
+ + +
ion to combine with another oxygen to form peroxide ion O2–
2 . The larger K , Rb and Cs
ions have still weaker positive field around then which cannot prevent even peroxide ion,
O 2–
2 to combine with another oxygen aton to form superoxide O–2 .

(2) Reaction wit h wat er : Alkali method decompose water with the evolution of hydrogen

2M + 2H 2 O 
 2MOH + H ()
2

Lithium decomposes water slowly. Sodium reacts with water quickly, K, Rb and Cs react
with water vigorously. The decomposition is highly exothermic and the evolved hydrogen
sometimes inflames. Thus, reactivity towards water increases from Li to Cs. This is due to
electropositive character in same order.
Alkali metals react with other compounds containing acidic hydrogen.

2Na + 2HCl 
 2NaCl + H ( )
2

2Na + 2CH  CH 
 2NaC  CH + H2 ()

(3) Affinity for non-met a ls : Alkali methods have great affinity for non-metals.
(i) Act ion with hydr ogen

2M + H2 
 2MH

MH + H2O 
 MOH + H ()
2

(ii) Action wit h ha logens :

2M + X 2 
 2MX
With the exception of certain Lithium halides, the alkali metal halides are ionic compounds
(M+ X– )
Halides of potassium, rubidium and caesium have as property of combining with extra
halogen atoms forming poly halides.

KI + I2 
 KI
3

Note : The insolubility of LiF in water can be explained in the following manner. The
lithium ion has the highest energy of hydration as it is small in size in comparison to
other alkali metal ions and thus it should have high solubility. However, the small Li +
and F– ion interact very strongly resulting in high lattice energy of LiF which is

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 9

responsible for its insolubility (the ionic compounds, which posses low value of lattice
energy, are freely soluble in water)

(iii) Act ion with sulp hur a nd phosp hor us : Alkali metals react with sulphur and
phosphorus on heating to form sulphides and phosphides

16Na + S 8 

 8 Na2 S
Sodium sulphide

12Na + P4 

 4Na 3 P
Sodium phosphide

(4) Solub ilit y in liquid am monia : All alkali metal dissolve in liquid ammonia giving deep
blue solutions which are conducting in nature. These solutions contain ammoniated cations
and ammoniated electrons as shown below :

 M + + e –1(NH )
M + (x + y) NH 3  3 y
The blue colour of the solution is considered to be due to ammoniated electrons which absorb
energy corresponding to red region of the visible light for the their excitation to higher
energy levels. The transmitted light is blue which imparts blue colour to the solutions. The
electrical conductivity of the solution is due to both ammonia ted cations and ammoniated
electrons. The blue solution on standing slowly liberates hydrogen resulting in formation of
amide :

2M  2NH 3  2MN H 2  H 2

(Me t a l a m ide )

At concentration above 3M, the solutions of alkali metals in liquid ammonia are copper-
bronze coloured. These solutions contains clusters of metal ions and hence possess metallic
lusture. The blue coloured solutions are paramagnetic due to presence of large number of
unpaired electrons, but bronze solutions are diamagnetic due to formation of electron clusters
in which ammoniated electrons with opposite spin group together
These solutions are stronger reducing agents than hydrogen and hence will react with water
to liberate hydrogen.

Gene
nerral Cha
harract eristic of tthe
he C
Com
om
ompo
po
pouund
ndss o
off the Al
Alkkali Metals

(i) O xid e a n d H yd r oxid es

All the alkali metals, their oxides, peroxides and superoxides readily dissolve in water to
produce corresponding hydroxides with are strong alkalies eg
2Na + 2H 2 O  2NaOH + H 2

Na 2 O + 2H2 O  2NaOH

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
10 QUIZRR
Na 2O 2 + 2H 2 O  2NaOH + H 2O 2

2KO2 + 2H 2O  2KOH + H 2 O2 + O 2

Thus peroxides and superoxides also act as oxidizing agents since they react with H 2 O
forming H 2O2 and O2 respectively.

The hydroxides of all the alkali metals are white crystalline solids. They are strongest of all
ba se and readily dissolve in water with the evolution of much heat.

(a ) Ba sic St r engt h : The Basic strength of these hydroxides increases as we move down
the group Li to Cs. The hydroxides of alkali metals behave as strong bases due to their
low ionization energies which decrease down the group. The decrease in ionization
energies leads to weakening of the bond between metal and hydroxide ion and M –
O bond in M – O – H can easily break giving M + and OH – . This results in the
increased concentration of hydroxyl ions in the solution i.e., increased basic characters.

(b) Solub ilit y a nd st abilit y : All these hydroxides are highly soluble in water and
thermally stable except lithium hydroxide.

2LiOH 

 Li 2 O  H 2 O

(ii) Nit r a t es (M NO 3 )
The nitrates do not undergo hydrolysis. With the exception of LiNO3 , other nitrates decompose
to nitrites and oxygen.

2MNO 3  2MN O 2  O 2

But, 2LiNO 3  Li 2 O  2NO 2  I 2O 2

(iii) H a l i d e s
The alkali metals combine directly with halogens under appropriate conditions forming
halides of general formula MX. These halides can also be prepared by the action of aqueous
halogen acides (HX) on metals oxides, hydroxides or carbonate.

M 2O + 2HX  2MX + H 2 O

MOH + HX 
 MX + H O
2

M 2CO3 + 2HX 
 2MX + CO + H O (M = Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs) and (X = F, Cl, Br or I)
2 2

The fluorides are the most stable while iodides are the least stable.
The trends in meting points, boiling points and solubility of alkali metals halides can be
understood in terms of polarization effects, lattice energy and hydration of ions.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 11

(A) P ola r iza t ion effect s

Comparison of ionic and covalent character of alkali
metal halides.
When a cation approaches and anion, the electron
cloud of the anion is attracted towards the cation
and hence gets distorted. This effect is called Polarizing
cation Polarized anion Unpolarized anion
polarization. The power of the cation of polarize the
anion is called its polarizing power and the tendency of the anion to get polarized is called
its polarizability. The greater the polarization produced more is the concentration of the
electrons between the two atoms thereby decreasing the ionic character of increasing the
covalent character. The covalent character of any compound in general depends upon the
following factors.
(a ) Size of t h e ca t ions
Smaller the cation greater is its polarizing power and hence larger is the covalent
character. The covalent character decreases as size of cation increases.
LiCl > NaCl > KCl > RbCl > CsCl
Thus LiCl is more covalent than KCl.

(b) Size of t he a nion

Larger the anion, greater is its polarizability. This explains the covalent character of
lithium halides is in order
LI > LiBr > LiCl > LiF

(c) C ha r ge of the ion

Greater the charge on the cation greater is its polarizing power and hence larger is the
covalent character. The covalent character of some halides increase in the order
Na+ Cl– < Mg+2 Cl2 < Al +3 Cl3
Similarly greater the charge on the anion, more easily it gets polarized thereby
imparting more covalent character to the compound formed eg covalent character
increase in the order : NaCl < Na 2 SO 4 < Na3PO 4
Thus the covalent character decreases as the charge of the anion decrease.

(d) Elect r onic configur a t ion of t he ca tion

It two cations have the same charge and size, the one with pseudo noble gas configuration
i.e having 18 electrons in the outermost shell has greater polarizing power than a
cation with noble gas configuration i.e having 8 electrons. For example CuCl is more
covalent than NaCl.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
12 QUIZRR
(B) L a t t ice Ener gies
Lattice energy is defined as the amount of energy required to separate one mole of solid ionic
compound into its ga seous ions. Evidently greater the lattice energy, higher is the melting
point of the alkali metals halide and lower its solubility in water

(C) Hydr a tion Ener gy

It is the amount of energy released when one mole of gaseous ions combine with water to
form hydrated ions.

 M + (aq) + hydration energy

M + (g) + aq 

X– (g) + aq X– (aq) + hydration energy

Higher the hydration energy of the ions greater is the solubility of the compound in water.
Further the extent of hydration depends upon the size of the ions. Smaller the size of the
ion, more highly it is hydrated and hence greater is its hydrated ionic radius and less is its
ionic mobility (Conductance).
From above arguments, the melting point and solubility in water or organic solvent of alkali
metal halides can be explained
(a) A delicate balance between lattice enthalpy and hydration enthalpy determines the
ultimate solubility of a compound in water. For eg. Low solubility of LiF (0.27 g/100 g
H2O) is due to its high lattice energy (–1005KJmol –1) whereas the low solubility of CsI
(44g/100gH 2 O) is due to smaller hydration energy of the two ions (–670 KJ/mol)
(b) The solubility of the most of alkali metal halides except those of fluorides decreases on
descending the group since the decrease in hydration energy is more than the
corresponding decrease in the lattice energy.
(c) Due to small size and high electronegativity, lithium halides except LiF are predominantly
covalent and hence are soluble in covalent solvents such as alcohol, acetone, ethyl
acetate, LiCl is also soluble in pyridine. In contrast NaCl being ionic is insoluble in
organic solvents.
(d ) Due to high hydration energy of Li+ ion, Lithium halides are soluble in water except
LiF which is sparingly soluble due to its high lattice energy.
(e) For the same alkali metal the melting point decreases in the order :
fluoride > chloride > bromide > iodide
because for the same alkali metal ion, the lattice energies decreases as the size of the
halide ion increases.
(f) for the same halide ion, the melting point of lithium halides are lower than those of the
corresponding sodium halides and thereafter they decrease as we move down the group
for Na to Cs.
The low melting point of LiCl (887 K) as compared to NaCl is probably because LiCl
is covalent in nature and NaCl is ionic.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 13

Salts of oxoa
oacc ids

Since the alkali metals are highly electropositive, therefore their hydroxides are very strong bases
and hence they form salts with all oxoacids (H 2CO 3 , H 3PO 4, H2 SO4 , HNO 3, HNO2 etc). They are
generally soluble in water and stable towards heat. The carbonates (M2 CO 3) of alkali metals are
remarkably stable upto 1273 K, above which they first melt and then eventually decompose to
form oxides Li2 CO3 , however is considerably less stable and decomposes readily.

Li 2CO3 

 Li2O + CO 2

This is presumably due to large size difference between Li + and C O23 which makes the crystal
lattice unstable.
Being strongly basic, alkali metals also form solid bicarbonates. No other metals forms solid
bicarbonates though NH 4 CO3 also exists as a solid. Lithium, however does not form solid bicarbonate
though it does exist is solution. All the bicarbonate on gentle heating undergo decomposition to
form carbonates with the evolution of CO2 .

2MHCO3 

 M 2CO 3 + CO 2 + H2 O
All the carbonates and bicarbonates are soluble in water and their solubilities increase rapidly on
descending the group. This is due to the reason that lattice energies decrease more rapidly than
their hydration energies on moving down the group.

An
Anooma
mallous Beha viour of L ithium an d it
itss Diagonal Rel ations
nshhip with Magn esium

The properties of lithium are quite from the properties of other alkali metals. On the other hand,
it shows greater resemblance with magnesium, which is diagonally opposite elements of it. The
main reasons for the anomalous behaviour of lithium as compared to other alkali metals are
(i) The extremely small size of lithium atom and its ion.
(ii) Greater polarizing power of lithium ion (Li +), due to its small size which result in the
covalent character in its compounds.
(iii) Least electropositive character and highest ionization energy as compared to other alkali
metals.
(iv) Non availability of vacant d-orbitals in the valance shell.
The reason for resemblance of properties of lithium with magnesium is that these two
elements have almost same polarizing power.
The following p oint s illust r a te t he a nom a lous p r oper t ies of lit hium a nd its diagona l
r ela t ion sh ip wit h m a gn esiu m
(a) The melting point and boiling point of lithium are comparatively high.
(b) Lithium is much harder than the other alkali metals. Magnesium is also hard metal.
(c) Lithium reacts with oxygen least readily to form normal oxide whereas other alkali metals
form peroxides and superoxides.
S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 14 QUIZRR
(d) LiOH like Mg(OH)2 is weak base. Hydroxides of other alkali metals are strong bases.
(e) Due to their appreciable covalent nature, the halides and alkyls of lithium and magnesium
are soluble in organic solvents.
(f) Unlike elements of group 1 but like magnesium. Lithium forms nitride with nitrogen.

6Li + N 2 
 2Li N
3

(g) LiCl is deliquescent and crystallizes as a hydrate, LiCl.2H 2O. Other alkali metals do not form
hydrates. MgCl2 also forms hydrate, MgCl2.8H 2 O.
(h) Unlike other alkali metals lithium reacts directly with carbon to form an ionic carbide.
Magnesium also forms a similar carbide.
(i) The carbonates, hydroxides and nitrates of lithium as well as magnesium decompose on
heati ng.

Li2 CO3 
 Li O + CO
2 2

MgCO3 
 MgO + CO
2

2LiOH 
 Li O + H O
2 2

Mg(OH) 2 
 MgO + H O
2

4LiNO3 
 2Li O + 4NO + O
2 2 2

2Mg(NO3) 2 
 2Mg + 4NO + O
2 2

The corresponding salts of other alkali metals are stable towards heat.
(j) Lithium nitrate, on heating, decomposes to give lithium oxide, Li2 O whereas other alkali
metals nitrates decomposes to give the corresponding nitrite.

4LiNO3 
 2Li 2O + 4NO2 + O 2

2NaNO3 
 2NaNO2 + O2

2KNO3 
 2KNO + O
2 2

(k) Li 2CO3 , LiOH, LiF and Li 3PO 4 are the only alkali metal salts which are insoluble in water.
The corresponding magnesium compounds are also insoluble in water.
(l) Hydrogen carbonates of both lithium and magnesium can not be isolated in solid state.
Hydrogen carbonates of other alkali metals ca n be isolated in solid state.

Ill us
usttr ation :

The chemistr y of Lit hium is ver y m uch similar t o that of ma gnesium even t hough they ar e
placed in differ ent gr oups-Exp lain.
Solution : The ratio of their charge to size is nearly same by which they show the diagonal relationship.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 15

COMPOUND
NDSS OF ALKA
KALL I MET
ETAA LS

1. Sod iu m :
Some basic reactions are :

Na2 CO3+H2 O Na2 O2

CO2
O2
NaOH H 2O NaNH2 +H2
Na2 O

NH3
Be+NaCl NaH
O2
Be H2
Cl
2
Cl 2
Al+Na 2O Na NaCl
Al 2O3
S
CO 2 P
SiO 2 Na2S
C+Na2 CO3

Si + 2Na 2O Na 3P

C ompound s of sodium
1. Sodium oxide, Na2 O

Na 2 O + H2O  2NaOH

2. Sodium peroxide (Na2O 2 )

It is a pale yellow powder. It is used as an oxidizing agent

ice  cold wat er

Na 2 O2 + 2H 2O   2NaOH + H2O 2

25 C
Na 2 O2 + 2H 2O  2NaOH + O 2

Na 2 O2 + H 2SO 4 
 Na SO + H O
2 4 2 2

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
16 QUIZRR
3. Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic soda), Na OH

NaH2PO3 + PH3
(Sodium (phosphine) Na 2CO3 Na2 SO4 NaNO 3
hypophosphite)
Na2 S2 O3 +Na2 S
P CO2 HNO 3
4+
H 4S
2O
H2 SO4 NaAlO 2
Al 2O3 Sodium meta
I2
NaI+NaIO3 aluminate
(Sodium lOdate)
Co ZnO
(H en tr
Br 2 nc
o t at
an ed
(Cold and Na2 ZnO2
d ) dilute) PbO
NaBr+NaBrO3 (Sodium zincate)
(Sodium bromate) Cl2
I2 Br2
NaClO3 +NaCl Na2 PbO2
(Sodium Chlorate) NaI+NaIO NaBr+NaBrO (Sodium Plumbite)
Sodium Sodium
hypoiodite hypobromite

4. Sodium Carbonate
Preparation : (By solvays process)

NH 3 + H2O + CO 2 NH4 HCO3

NaCl

NaHCO 3 + NH4 Cl

Na2CO3 + CO2

 Washing soda
Na 2 CO3 . 10H 2 O 

Na 2 CO3 
 Soda ash or light ash

P r op er t ies :
Na 2 CO3 + SiO2  Na2 SiO3 + CO 2 ( )
Sodium silicate

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 17

Sodium silicate is called soluble glass or water glass as its is soluble in water.

Na 2 CO3 + HCl 
 NaHCO + NaCl
3

5. Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda)

It is used as a medicine to neutralize the acidity in stomach. It is also used in fire extinguishers.

2NaHCO 3 

 Na 2 CO 3 + H2 O + CO2

6. Sodium thiosulphate, Na 2 S2 O3 . 5H2 O

It is also know as Hypo.

Na3 [Ag(S2O3)2] + NaBr

Na 2SO 4+ Na 2S 5
Ag2S + H2SO4
AgBr
H2 O
Ag2S2O3 AgNO3
Na2S2O3 NaCl + SO2+ S+H2O
+ 2NaNO3
H2 SO4
I2
FeCl 3
Na2 SO4 + SO2 + S + H2 O
Na2 S4 O6 + FeCl2 + NaCl
NaI + Na2S4O6
sodium tetrathionate

Action on copper sulphate : Cuprous thio sulphate is formed which dissolves in excess of sodium
thio sulphate to form a complex.

CuSO4 + Na 2 S 2 O3 
 CuS O + Na SO
2 3 2 4

2CuS2O3 + Na2 S2 O3 
 Cu S O + Na S O
2 2 3 2 2 6

3CuS 2 O3 + 2Na 2 S 2O 3  Na 4[Cu6(S 2O 3 ) 5]

Sodium cuprothiosulphate

Some more compounds of sodium

1. Glauber’s salt , Na2 SO4 . 10H 2O
2. Cryolite, Na3 AlF6
3. Soda Felspar, NaAlSi3 O 8

2. Po t a s si u m

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
18 QUIZRR
1) Potassium superoxide

K + O2

H 2SO 4 S, C,
K2SO4 + H2O 2 + O2 KO2 K2 SO4 K2S + CO

H2 O
CO/CO 2
H 2O 2 + O 2 + KOH

K2 CO3 +O2

2) Potassium carbonate, K2 CO 3
It is also called potash or pearl ash.

K2 CO3 + 2H2 O 
 2KOH + H CO
2 3

3) Potassium sulphate

K2 SO 4 + Al 2(SO 4) 3 + H 2O 
 K2 SO4 . Al2 (SO4 )3 . 24H2O
(potash alum)

K2 SO4 + 4C 

 K 2S + 4CO ()

4) Potassium iodide, KI

AgNO3 + KI 
 AgI + KNO
3
(yellow)

Pb(CH 3COO)2 + 2KI 

 PbI2 + 2CH 2 COO
(yellow)

HgCl2 + 2KI 
 HgI + 2KCl
2
(red ppt.)

HgI2 + 2KI 
 K 2HgI 4
(excess) (nessler’s regent)

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 19

ALKALI
LINNE EARTH METALS
Phys ic al Pr oper t i es

(a ) Ph ysica l st at e : They are all silvery white metals. They have greyish white lustre when
freshly cut, but tarnish soon after their exposure in air due to surface oxidation. They are
soft in nature but harder than alkali metals because metallic bonding is stronger tha n IA
elements due to possession of 2 valency electrons. However, hardness decreases with increase
in atomic number. These elements are malleable and ductile but less than alkali metals.

(b) At omic a nd ionic r a d ii : The size of the atom increases gradually from Be to Ra, on
account of the presence of an extra energy shell at each step. The atoms are large but
smaller than corresponding IA elements since the extra charge on the nucleus attracts the
electron cloud inwards. Their ions are also large and size of the ion increases from Be2+ to
Ra 2 + .
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Atomic radii A 1.12 1.60 1.97 2.15 2.22 —

Ionic radii (M 2+ ) A 0.31 0.65 0.99 1.13 1.35 1.40

Atomic volume also increases as the atomic number increases.

Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
At. vol. (ml) 4.90 13.97 25.9 35.54 36.7 38.0

(c) Densit y : These metals are denser than alkali metals in the same period because these can
be packed more tightly due to their gr ea t er nuclear cha r ge and sm aller size. The
density decreases slightly upto calcium and then increases considerably upto radium. Irregular
trend is due to the difference in the crystal structure of these elements.

Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Density (g ml –1 ) 1.84 1.74 1.55 2.63 3.62 5.5

(d ) M elt ing a nd b oiling point s : The melting and boiling points of these elements are higher
than corresponding alkali metals. This is due to the presence of two electrons in the valency
shell and thus, strongly bonded in the solid state. However, melting and boiling points do
not show any regular trend because atoms adopt different crystal structures.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
m. pt. (°C) 1277 65 0 83 8 763 71 4 700
b. pt. (°C) 2770 1107 1440 1380 1640 1140

(e) I onisa t ion ener gies a nd elect r op osit ive cha r a ct er : The first and second ionisation
energies of these metals decrease from Be to Ba. The second ionisation energy in each case
is higher than the first, nearly double the first ionisation energy.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
20 QUIZRR
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
First I.E. (eV) 9.32 7.64 6.11 5.70 5.2 5.3
Second I.E. (eV) 18.2 1 15 .0 3 11.8 7 11.0 10.0 10.1

The ionisation energy of last member, radium, is slightly higher than that of barium and
it is barium and it is difficult to explain this anomalous behaviour.
Although, the ionisation energies of these elements are higher than those of alkali metals,
yet these are sufficiently low to make these atoms to lose two electrons of their valency shell
to form M2+ ions and achieve the inert gas configuration. These metals are thus, strongly
electropositive in nature but less than corresponding alkali metals. The electropositive character
increases from Be to Ba. Metallic character and reactivity are directly linked with the
tendency to lose electron or electrons, i.e., with electropositive nature. Thus, these characters
increase gradually from Be to Ba.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Electropositive nature increase
Metallic character increases
Reactivity of the m etals Increases

(f) Oxid a t ion st a t es : All show a stable oxidation state +2 in their compounds. The second
ionisation energy is nearly double the first ionisation energy for all elements. This should
cause these elements of exhibit a stable +1 oxidation state and form compounds like BaCl,
SrBr, CaI, etc., instead of BaCl2 , SrBr 2 , CaI 2 , etc. However, the lattice energy increases as
the charge on the ion increases. The increase in the lattice energy on account of the second
electron from ns2 is much more than the energy required (second ionisation energy) to
remove it. Hence, the stability of +2 oxidation state is due to high lattice energy. The second
factor responsible for +2 oxidation state is the hydration energy which is high for M2+ ions.
On account of the availability of energy, the process does not stop of M + state but reach to
M 2+ state readily.
Since the bivalent ions, M 2+, have an inert gas configuration, it is very difficult to remove
the third electron and hence oxidation state higher than + 2 is not possible.
Amongst alkaline earth metals, beryllium has the highest ionisation energy, i.e., least
electropositive in nature. Thus, beryllium has the minimum tendency to form Be 2+ ion and
hence a number of compounds of beryllium are covalent in nature.

(g) H ydr a t ion of ions and hydr at ion ener gy : The M2+ ions of alkaline earth metals are
extensively hydrated to form hydrated ions, [M(H 2O) x]2+ and during hydration a huge
amount of energy, called hydration energy, is released.

M2+ + xH 2O 
 [M(H O) ] 2+ + Energy
2 x

The degr ee of hydr at ion a nd t he a mount of hydr a t ion ener gy decr ea ses a s the
size of t he ion incr ea ses fr om Be 2+ t o Ba 2+ .

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 21

Be2 + Mg 2 + Ca 2 + Sr 2 + Ba 2 +
Heats of hydration 570 46 0 39 5 355 305
(kcal mol–1 )
The hydration energies of alkaline earth metal ions are higher than those of alkali metal
ions and thus the compounds of alkaline earth metals are more extensively hydrated than
alkali metals. Magnesium chloride and calcium chloride exist as MgCl 2.6H2 O and CaCl2 .6H2O,
respectively, while sodium chloride and potassium chloride exist as NaCl and KCl.
The ionic mobilities or ionic conductance of these ions increase from [Be(H2 O) x] 2+ to
[Ba(H2 O) x] 2+ because [Be(H 2 O) x] 2+ becomes heavy due to high degree of hydration.

(h ) Elect r onegat ivit y : The tendency to attract electrons is low. The electronegativity values
are thus small and decrease from Be to Ra.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Electronegativity 1.47 1.23 1.04 1.0 0.97 0.97

(i) C ond uctivit y : On account of the presence of two loosely bond valency electrons per atom
which can move freely through the crystal lattice, the alkaline earth metals are good conductors
of heat and electricity.

(j) Flame colour at ion : In the case of Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra, the electrons can be excited by the
supply of energy to higher energy levels. When the excited electrons return to the original
level, the energy is released in the form of light. In beryllium and magnesium, the electrons
are tightly held and hence excitation is rather difficult, thus do not show flame colouration.
Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra impart a characteristic colour to the flame.

Ca—Brick red Sr—crimson Ba—green Ra—crimson

(k) R educing na t ur e : The alkaline earth metals have the tendency to lose electron and
change into bivalent cation :
 M 2+ + 2e
M 

Hence, they act as strong reducing agents. The reducing nature increase as the atomic
number increases.
Strength of a reducing agent is linked with the value of oxidation potential. The values of
the oxidation potentials increase from Be to Ba, hence the strength as reducing agent
increases in the same order.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Oxid. potential (volt) 1.85 2.37 2.87 2.89 2.90
The oxidation potentials are lower than those of the alkali metals, hence, the alkaline earth
metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals. The reason for the lower values of
oxidation potentials is due to high heats of atomisation (sublimation) and ionisation energies.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
22 QUIZRR
(l) Colour a nd ma gnet ic p r oper t y : Since, the divalent ions have noble gas configuration
with no unpaired electrons, their compounds are diamagnetic and colourless unless the
anion is coloured. The metals are also diamagnetic in nature as all the orbitals are fully filled
with spin paired electrons, e.g.
Mg 2 + = 2, 8
= 1s2, 2s 2 2p 6

Che
hemmical Properties of Alkaline Ea
Earrth Element
ntss

Table summarizes reactions of Group 2(IIA). From this, it is evident that as we go down the
group, reactivity increases.

R eact ions of Gr oup 2 (II A)

R ea c t ion C omment
M + 2H2 O 
 M(OH) + H
2 2
Be probably reacts with stream, Mg with hot water, and
Ca, Sr and Ba react rapidly with cold water.

M + 2HCl 
 MCl 2 + H 2 All the metals react with acids liberating H2 . With HNO 3 ,
Be becomes passive due to formation of oxide layer.

3M + N2 
MN
3 2
All form nitrides at high temperatures. Stability Be > Mg
> Ca (hydrolysis to NH3 )

M + X2   MX
2
All the metals form MX2 . No polyhalides are formed.
(X2 = F2 , Cl2 , Br2, I 2)

M + 2NH 3 
 M(NH ) + H
2 2 2
All the metals dissolve in liquid NH3 to give deep blue
black solutions from which ammoniates [M(NH3 ) 6]2+ can
be recovered and form amides at high temperatures.

2M + O 2 
 2MO All the metals form normal oxide. Ba also forms peroxide
(BaO2 ).
Ba + O2 
 BaO
2
M + H 2 
 MH
2
Ionic salt-like hydrides formed at high temperatures by
Ca, Sr and Ba.

Be + 2H2 O + 2O H –  Not with other alkaline earth metals.

[Be(OH)4 ]2– + H 2(g)

M(s) 2C(s) 
 MC 2(s) At high temperature Be forms Be 2 C, ionic compounds

M + S  MS(s) The sulphides are insoluble, but hydrolyse if heated in water.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 23

Some po
poii nt
ntss tto
o n
noo te :

1. Be is amphoteric, as it reacts with acid as well as with base

Be + 2NaOH + 2H 2O 
 Na2 [Be(OH)4 ] + H2
Sodium beryllate

Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba do not react with NaOH and thus are purely basic.

2. Except beryllium, all combine with hydrogen directly to form hydrides of the type MH 2 when
heated with hydrogen

M + H2 
 MH
2

BeH 2 and MgH2 are covalent in nature while other hydrides are ionic in nature.
BeH 2 is formed by reacting beryllium chloride with lithium aluminium hydride

2BeCl 2 + LiAlH 4 
 2BeH + LiCl + AlCI
2 3

It is polymeric. (BeH 2) n process hydrogen bridges. Three centre bonds are present in which a
banana shaped molecular orbital covers three atoms Be ---- H ------ Be and contains two electrons.
Hydrogen a tons lie in the plane perpendicular to the plane of molecule containing beryllium
a t oms

H H
Be Be Be
H H

3. Alkaline earth metals dissolve in liquid ammonia to form coloured solutions.

 M2+ + 2e–
M 

2NH 3 + 2e – 
 2NH –2  H 2

M2+ + 2NH –2  M(NH 2 )2

When the solution is evaporated, hex ammoniate, M(NH3 ) 6 is formed. These slowly decompose to
give amides

M(NH3 )6 
 M(NH ) + 4NH () + H ( )
2 2 2 2

4. Car bid es : The carbides are ionic in nature and have NaCl type of structure with M 2+ replacing
Na + and C  C 2– replacing Cl– . Beryllium forms methanide, Be 2C, with carbon and acetylide,
BeC2 , with acetylene. Magnesium on heating with carbon forms Mg 2 C 3 also, which is an allylide
since with water it liberates allylene

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 24 QUIZRR

CaC2 + 2H 2 O 
 Ca(OH) + C H
2 2 2
carbide acetylene

Be2C + 4H 2O 
 2 Be(OH) 2 + CH 4
methane

 2 Mg(OH) + CH – C  CH
Mg2C3 + 4H2O  2 3
allylide allyle n e

5. Complex for ma tion : Generally, the alkaline earth metals do not form complexes. However, the
smaller ions have some tendency to form complexes. Beryllium forms stable complexes such as
[BeF 3 ]– , [BeF4 ]2– and [Be(H2 O) 4 ]2+

The most important complex formed by magnesium is chlorophyll in which magnesium is bonded
to the four heterocyclic nitrogen atoms. The rest of the elements from calcium to barium form
complexes only with strong complexation agents such as acetylacetone, ethylene diamine teraacetic
acid (EDTA), etc.

An oma
mall ous Beh avi ou
ourr of Ber ylli um

Be differs form the rest of the group for three reasons.

1. It is extremely small and Fajan’s rule state that small highly charged ions tend to form
covalent compounds.

2. Be has a comparatively high electronegativity. Thus when beryllium reacts with another
atom, the difference in electronegativity is seldom large, which again favours the formation
of covalent compounds. Even BeF2 (electronegativity difference 2.5) and BeO (electronegativity
difference 2.0) show evidence of covalent character.

3. Be is in the second row of the periodic table and the outer shell can hold a maximum of eight
electrons. (The orbitals available for bonding are one 2s and three 2p orbitals. Thus Be can
form a maximum of four conventional electron pair bonds and in many compounds the
maximum coordination number of Be is 4. The later elements can have more than eight
outer electrons and may attain a coordination number of 6 using one ‘s’, three ‘p’ and two
‘d’ orbitals for bonding. Exceptions occur if multi-centre bonding occurs, as for example in
basic beryllium acetate, when higher coordination numbers are obtained.

Thus, we should expect Be to form mainly covalent compounds and commonly have a
coordination number 4. Anhydrous compounds of Be are predominantly two-covalent and
BeX 2 molecules should be linear.

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 25

Electronic structure 1s 2s 2p
of beryllium atom in
the ground state
FeăBeăF
Electronic structure (gas)
1s 2s 2p
of beryllium atom in
excited state

Two unpaired electrons can form

bonds with two X atoms ă linear
molecule (sp hybridization)

In fact linear molecules exist only in the gas phase, as this electronic arrangement has not
filed the outer shell of electrons. In the solid state four fold coordination is always achieved.
There are several ways by which this can be achieved.
1. Two ligands that have a lone pair of electrons may form coordinate bonds using the two
unfilled orbitals in the valence shell of Be. Thus two F– ions might coordinate of BeF2 ,
forming [BeF4 ] 2–. Similarly diethyl ether can coordinate to Be(+II) in BeCl 2, forming
[BeCl2 (OEt)2 ].
2. The BeX 2 molecules may polymerise to form chains, containing bridging halogen groups, for
example (BeF 2 )n , (BeCl2 )n. Each halogen forms one normal covalent bond and uses a lone
pair to form a coordinate bond.
3. ( BeMe 2) n has essentially the same structure as (BeCl2 )n , but the bonding in the methyl
compound is best regarded as three-centre two electron bonds covering one Me and two Be
a toms .
4. A covalent lattice may be formed with a zinc blende or wurtzite structure (coordination
number 4), for example by BeO and BeS.
In water beryllium salts are extensively hydrolysed to give a series of hydroxo complexes of
unknown structure. They may be polymeric and of the type:

2ă 2ă
HO OH OH HO OH OH OH

NaOH
Be Be Be Be Be [Be(OH)4] 2ă
Tetrahedral
Berrylate ion
HO OH OH HO OH OH OH

If alkali is added to these solutions, the polymers break down to give the simple mononuclear
berrylate ion [Be(OH)4 ] 2–, which is tetrahedral. Many beryllium salts contain the hydrated
ion [Be(H 2O) 4] 2– , which is tetrahedral. Many beryllium salts contain the hydrated ion
[Be(H2O) 4 ] 2+, rather than Be 2+ and the hydrated ion too is a tetrahedral complex ion. Note

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
26 QUIZRR
that the coordination number is 4. Forming a hydrated complex increases the effective size
of the beryllium ion, thus spreading the charge over a larger area. Stable ionic salts such
as [Be(H 2O) 4]SO4 , [Be(H 2 O)4 ](NO3) 2 and [Be(H 2O) 4]Cl 2, are known.

Electronic structure of 1s 2s 2p
beryllium atom in the
ground state

Electronic structure of 1s 2s 2p
Be 2+ ion

Electronic structure of 1s 2s 2p
Be 2+ ion having gained
four electron pairs from
four oxygen atoms in
water molecules Four electron pairs tetrahedral
(sp3 hybridization)

Beryllium salts are acidic when dissolved in pure water because the hydrated ion hydrolyses
producing H3O + . This happens because the Be–O bond is very strong and so in the hydrated
ion this weakens the O–H bonds and hence there is a tendency to lose protons. The initial
reaction is

H 2 O  [Be(H 2 O)4 ]2   [Be(H 2 O)3 (OH )]  H 3 O 

but this may be followed by further polymerization, involving hydroxobridged structures. In

alkaline solutions [Be(OH)4 ] 2– is formed. The outer group II salts do not interact so strongly
with water and do not hydrolyse appreciably.
Beryllium salts rarely have more than four molecules of water of crystallization associated
with the metal ion, because there are only four orbitals available in the second shell of
electrons, whereas magnesium can have a coordination number of 6 by using some 3d
orbitals as well as 3s and 3p orbitals.

COMPOUND
NDSS OF A
ALLKALI EA
EARRTH MET
ETAALS

1. O xides a nd H ydr oxides

P r ep a r a t ion :

1. 2 Be + O2 
 2 BeO

2Ca + O 2 
 2CaO

Ca CO 3 

 CaO + CO 2

Mg CO3 

 MgO + CO 2

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 27

2. MgO + H2O 
 Mg (OH)
2

CaO + H2 O 
 Ca (OH) 2

Note : Basic strength of hydroxides increase going down the group.

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

Prope
perr ties :

(1) BeO is insoluble in H2 O but dissolves in acid and alkali

BeO + 2HCl 
 BeCl + H O
2 2

BeO + NaOH 
 Na2 Be O2 + H2 O
Sodium Beryllate

CaO combines with solid acidic oxides at high temperature

CaO + SiO2 
 CaSi O
3

6 CaO + P4 O10 
 2 Ca (PO )
3 4 2

(2) Ca(OH) 2 is called lime wat er or slaked lime and Ba(OH) 2 is called bar yta wa t er , Lime
water or baryta turns milky by CO2
Ca(OH)2 + CO 2 
 CaCO3 + H 2O
milky

Ba(OH)2 + CO2  BaCO3 + H 2O

milky

Milkyness disappears when excess of CO2 is passed, due to formation of soluble bicarbonates
CaCO3 + H 2O + CO2 
 Ca(HCO )
32
excess solu ble

2 Ca(OH) 2 + 2Cl2  CaCl 2 + Ca(ClO) 2 + 2H2O

Calcium
hypochlorite

Bi
Biccar b ona
natt es and Carb onate s

• The carbonates are all ionic, but due to excessive hydration of Be 2+ , BeCO 3 is unusual
because it contains the hydrated ion [Be(H 2O) 4 ] 2+
• BeCO 3 decomposes at low temperature and is placed in the atmosphere of CO 2

BeCO3 
 BeO + CO
2

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 28 QUIZRR
Thermal stability increases with increase in atomic weight down the group or with increasing
cationic size

BeCO 3 < MgCO3 < CaCO 3 < SrCO3 < BaCO3

• Ca(HCO3) 2 and Mg(HCO 3) 2 exist in water causing temporary hardness which can be removed
as insoluble carbonates by boiling

Ca(HCO3 ) 2 

 CaCO 3 ( ) + H 2 O + CO2

Mg(HCO 3 ) 2 

 MgCO 3 () + H2 O + CO2

• Ca(HCO3 ) 2 and Mg(HCO3 )2 are amphoteric thus neutralized by acid as well as base :

Ca(HCO 3 )2 + H 2SO4 
 CaSO + 2H O + 2W
4 2 2

Ca(HCO3 )2 + Ca(OH)2 
 CaCO ( ) + 2H O
3 2

Su l p ha t e s

• The solubility of the sulphates in water decreases down the group.

BeSO4  MgSO4 > Ca


SO
4 > SrSO 4  BeSO 4
     
So lu b le Sp aringly insolub le
solub le

High solubilities of BeSO 4 and MgSO4 are due to the high enthalpy of hydration of the
smaller Be2+ and Mg2+ ions, which over comes the lattice energy factors.

• The sulphates decompose into oxides and SO3

MSO 4 

 MO + SO3
• MgSO 4. 7H 2O is called Epsom Salt Although correct formulation is
[Mg (H2O)6 ] SO4 .H2 O

MgSO 4 . 7H2 O 

150 C MgSO4 . H2 O

200°C

1 str on g
O + SO 2 + MgO   MgSO4
2 2 h e a t in g

Not e : The reason that it first changes to monohydrate lies in the above give formulation
[Mg(H 2O)6 ] SO4.H 2O

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
 QUIZRR 29

• CaSO 4 . 2 H2O is called gypsum

1
CaSO4 . 2 H 2O 150 C
 CaSO 4. H O 200 C
 CaSO 4
2 2
gyps u m plaster of anhydrite
paris

1100°C

CaO + SO3
CaSO4 + 4C 
 CaS + 4CO

S-BLOCK ELEMENTS
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4.8 50,000+ 2,00,000+

Rating on Google Play Students using daily Questions available