CHEMISTRY LECTURE NOTES

TOPIC : s-Block Elements

CHEMISTRY LECTURE NOTES
(2014-15)
TOPIC : s-Block Elements

(2014-15)

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 1

 The elements in which the last electron enters the outermost s-orbital are called s-block elements. The
group 1 and 2 of periodic table belong to the s-block.

Flame Test
Alkali metal : The alkali metals and their salts impart characteristic colour to an oxidizing flame. This is
because the heat from the flame excites the outermost orbital electron to a higher energy level. When
the excited electron comes back to the ground state, there is emission of radiation in the visible region.
Alkali metals can therefore, be detected by the respective flame tests and can be determined by flame
photometry or atomic absorption spectroscopy. These elements when irradiated with light, the light
energy absorbed may be sufficient to make an atom lose electron.

Metal Li Na K Rb Cs

Colour Crimson red Yellow Violet / Lilac Red violet Blue

Alkaline earth metals : Calcium, strontium and barium impart characteristic brick red, crimson red and
apple green colours respectively to the flame. In flame the electrons are excited to higher energy levels
and when they drop back to the ground state, energy is emitted in the form of visible light. The electrons
in beryllium and magnesium are too strongly bound to get excited by flame. Hence, these elements do
not impart any colour to the flame. The flame test for Ca, Sr and Ba is helpful in their detection in
qualitative analysis and estimation by flame photometry. The alkaline earth metals like those of alkali
metals have high electrical and thermal conductivities which are typical characteristics of metals.

Metal Be Mg Ca Sr Ba

Colour No colour No colour Brick red Crimson red Apple green

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 2

 Group – 1st(IA) Elements : (Alkali Metals)

KEY ATOMIC PROPERTIES, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, AND REACTIONS

KEY Atomic No. 1

ns Atomic Properties Electronegativity
Symbol 0 1 2 3 4
Group electronic
Atomic mass
Valence e– configuration configuration is ns1. 1.0
Li
(Common oxidation states) All members have 520
3 the +1 oxidation 0.9
Na 496
Li state and form an
0.8
6.941 E+ ion. Atoms have K
2s
1 419
the largest size and 0.8
(+1) Atomic Ionic
radius radius lowest IE and EN in Rb 403
11 (pm) (pm)
their periods. Down 0.7
Na Li LI
+

the group, atomic Cs 376

152 76
22.99 0.7
3s
1
Na Na
+ and ionic size EN
Fr ~375 IE1
(+1) 186 102 increase, while IE
19 + and EN decrease. 0 500 1000 1500 2500
K K
K 227 138 First lionization energy(kJ/mol)

39.10 +
1 Rb Rb
4s 248 152 Physical Properties
(+1) Density (g/mL)
Metallic bonding is 9
37 Cs Cs
+
0 3 6 12
265 167
relatively weak
Rb because there is only 0.534
85.47 +
one valence electron. Li 1347
Fr Fr
5s
1
(270) 180 Therefore, these 181
0.968
(+1) metals are soft with Na 881
55 relatively low melting 98
and boiling points. 0.856
Cs These values decrease K 788
132.9 63
1 down the group 1.532
6s
because larger atom Rb 688
(+1)
cores attract 39
87 delocalized electrons 1.90
Fr less strongly. Large Cs
28
705 density
(223) atomic size and low Fr bp
1 mp
7s atomic mass result in
(+1) low density; thus,
0 500 1000 1500 2500
density generally Temperature (°C)
increases down the
group because mass
increases more than
size.

The elements of group 1 include lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium(Rb), caesium (Cs)
233 st
& francium (Fr) (Radioactive : t1/2 of Fr = 21 minutes) group –1 (IA) elements are called alkali
metals because they from hydroxides on reaction with water, which are alkaline in nature.

S.No. Atomic Properties Alkali metal

1
1. Outer Electronic ns
configuration
1
2. Oxidation number (i)These elements easily form univalent +ve ion by losing loosely solitary ns
and valency electron due to low IP value.
3. Atomic and Ionic radii Increase down the group, because value of n (principal quantum number)
increases. Order = Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
4. Ionisation Energy As size increases, I.E. decreases down the group (so Cs have lowest I.P.)
Order = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 3

 5. Electropositive Alkali metals are strongly electropositive and metallic. Down the group
character or metallic electropositive nature increase so metallic nature also increases.
character
i.e. M  M+ + e–
Metallic Nature : Electropositive character 1 /I.P.
Order = Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
6. Hydration of ions (i) Hydration represents for the dissolution of a substance in water to get absorb
water molecule by weak valency forces Hydration of ions in the process when ions
on dissolution in water get hydrated. Li has maximum degree of hydration for this
reason Lithium salts are mostly hydrated. e.g : LiCl.2H2O.
(ii) Smaller the cation greater is the degree of hydration.
Hydration energy = Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+
(iii) Li+ being smallest in size has maximum degree of hydration and that is why
lithium salts are mostly hydrated and moves very slowly under the influence of
electric field.
7. Photoelectric effect The phenomenon of emission of electrons when electromagnetic rays strikes
against them is called photoelectric effect; Alkali metal have low I.P. so show
photoelectric effect. Cs and K are used in Photoelectric cells.

8. Electronegativity (i)These metals are highly electopositive and there by possess low values of
electro negativities.
(ii)Electronegativity of alkali metals decreases down the group.
Order = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

S.No. Physical Property Alkali metal

1. Density (i)All are light metals.
(ii) Density increase down the group but K is lighter than Na.
Order = Li < K < Na < Rb < Cs
2. Hardness (i) All are silvery white metals.
(ii) Light soft, malleable and ductile metals with metallic luster.
(iii) Diamagnetic and colour less in form of ions.
(iv) These metals are very soft and can be cut with a knife. Lithium is harder
than any other alkali metal. The hardness depends upon cohensive energy.
The cutting of sodium metal Cohensive energy  Force of attraction between atoms.
3. Melting points/ Boiling points (i) Lattice energy decreases from Li to Cs and thus Melting points and
Boiling points also decrease from Li to Cs.
M.P. = Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
B.P. = Li > Na > K > Cs > Rb
4. Specific heat It decreases from Li to Cs. Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

S.No. Chemical Alkali metal

Property
1. (i) They generally form oxides and peroxides.
M+O2  M2O (Oxide) O 2  M2O2 (Peroxide)

The alkali metals tarnish in dry air due to the formation of their oxides on their surface.
4M + O2  2M2O
They react vigorously in oxygen forming following oxides.
4 Li + O2  2 Li2O (Monoxide)
2 Na + O2  Na2O2 (Peroxide)
Action M + O2  MO2 ( Superoxide) where M = K, Rb, Cs
with O2
and N2 Principal Combustion Product (Minor Product)
Metal Oxide Peroxide Superoxide
Li Li2O (Li2O2)
Na (Na2O) Na2O2
K KO2(Orange/Yellow Crystalline)
Rb RbO2 (Orange/Yellow Crystalline)
Cs CsO2 (Orange/Yellow Crystalline)
(ii) All super oxide are paramagnetic in nature.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 4

 (iii) The increasing stability of the peroxide or superoxide as the size of the metal ion increases
is due to the stabilisation of large anions by larger cations through lattice energy effect.
(iv) Since all the alkali metals are highly reactive towards air ; they are kept in kerosene oil.
Reactivity increases from Li to Cs.
(v) Only Lithium reacts with N2 to form ionic lithium nitride Li3N.

3Li + 3/2N2  Li3N

2. (i) Alkali metals decompose water to form the hydroxides having the formula MOH and
dihydrogen.
2M + 2H2O  2MOH (aq.) + H2 (g) (M = An alkali metal).
(ii) Li decompose water slowly, sodium reacts with water quickly K, Rb and Cs react with water
vigorously.
(iii) It may be noted that although lithium has most negative E value (In below table), its
reaction with water is less vigorous than that of sodium which has the least negative E value
among the alkali metals. This behaviour of lithium is attributed to its small size and very high
Action hydration energy. Other metals of the group react explosively with water.
with water Property Alkali metals
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr
Standard potentials
+ – 3.04 – 2.714 – 2.925 – 2.930 – 2.927 –
E/V for (M /M)
(iv) They also react with proton donors such as alcohol, gaseous ammonia and terminal
alkynes evolution of hydrogen.
2M + 2C2H5OH  2C2H5OM + H2
Ethyl alcohol Metal ethoxide
3. (i)They react with H2 forming metal hydride with formula MH which are of ionic nature. Stability
of hydride decreases down the group. since the electropositive character decreases from Cs to
Li.
Hydrides 2M + H2  2MH
(iii)The metal hydrides react with water to give MOH and H2.
MH + H2O  MOH + H2
4. (i)The alkali metals react vigorously with halogens to form ionic halides M+X– .
2M + X2 2 M+X–
(ii) Alkali metals halides formation is increases form Li to Cs due to increase in electropositive
character.
(iii) LiX have more covalent character (It is because of the high polarisation capability of Lithium
Halides ion (fajan’s rules)).
(iv)Halides having ionic nature have high melting point and are good conductor of current in
fused state. These are readily soluble in water.
(v)Halides of potassium, rubidium and ceasium have property of combining with extra halogen
atoms forming polyhalides.
KI + I2  KI3
5. Property Alkali metals
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr
Standard potentials
+ – 3.04 – 2.714 – 2.925 – 2.930 – 2.927 –
E/V for (M /M)
(i) Reducing agent is electron donor. The alkali metals are strong reducing agents, lithium
being the most and sodium the least powerful (above table). The standard electrode potential
(E) which measures the reducing power represents the overall change :
Reducing
M(s)  M(g) Sublimation enthalpy
nature
+ –
M(g)  M (g) + e Ionization enthalpy
+ +
M (g) + H2O  M (aq) Hydration enthalpy
(ii) Lithium is expected to be least reducing agent due to it's very high I.E. However, lithium has
the highest hydration enthalpy which accounts for its high negative E value and its high
reducing power.
Reducing Nature in gas phase = Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.
Reducing Nature in aqueous condition = Li > Cs > Rb > K > Na.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 5

6. (i) These oxides are easily hydrolysed by water to form the hydroxides.
Thus M2O (oxide) + H2O  MOH

Basic M2O2 (peroxide) + H2O  2 MOH +H2O2

nature of MO2 (superoxide) + H2O  2 MOH +H2O2+O2
hydroxide
(ii) The Hydroxide which are obtained by the reaction of the oxide. With water all are white
crystalline solids. The alkali metal hydroxides are the strongest of all bases and dissolve freely
in water with evolution of much heat an account of intense hydration.
Basic nature = LiOH < NaOH < KOH < RbOH < CsOH
7. (i) The carbonates (M2CO3) and bicarbonates (MHCO3) are highly stable to heat, where M as
alkali metals.
(ii) Group 1 metals are so strongly basic, they (except lithium) also form solid bicarbonates. No
other metals form solid bicarbonates. Lithium carbonate is not so stable to heat. Its
hydrogencarbonate does not exist as a solid. Although NH4HCO3 also exists as a solid.
(iii) The stability of these salts increases with the increasing electropositive character from Li to
Cs. It is therefore Li2CO3 decompose on heating .

Li2CO3  Li2O + CO2
(iv) Bicarbonates are decomposed at relatively low temperature.
0
2MHCO3 300
 C
 M2CO3+H2O+ CO2
Carbonat
es and (v) Hydrolysis of carbonate
bicarbona Na2CO3 + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2CO3
tes
Li2CO3 + 2H2O  sparingly soluble
(vi) The crystal structures of NaHCO3 and KHCO3 both show hydrogen bonding, but are
different.
(a) In NaHCO3, the HCO3– ions are linked into an infinite chain.
(b) in KHCO3, HCO3– forms a dimeric anion.

(a) (b)
8. (i) A metal shows complex formation only when it has following characteristics.
(a) Small size,
Complex (b) High nuclear charge,
ion (c) Presence of empty orbitals in order to accept electron pair from ligand (electron pair
formation donor species).
(ii) Due to small size only Lithium in alkali metals, forms a few complex ions. Rest all alkali
metals do not possess the tendency to form complex ion.
9. Reaction Reacts vigorously with acids
with acids 2M + H2SO4  M2SO4 + H2
10. Formation (i) Alkali metals get dissolved in mercury to form amalgams with evolution of heat and the
of amalgamation is highly exothermic.
amalgams (ii) Alkali metals form alloys themselves as well as with other metals.
11. (i) All these form sulphates of type M2SO4.
(ii) Except Li2SO4 rest all are soluble in water.
Sulphates
(iii)These sulphates on fusing with carbon form sulphides.
M2SO4+ 4C  M2S + 4CO
12. Sulphides All metals react with S forming sulphides such as Na2S and Na2Sn (n = 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6). The
polysulphide ions are made from zig-zag chains of sulphur atoms.
13. (i) Nitrates of both are soluble in water and decompose on heating.
(ii) LiNO3 decomposes to give NO2 and O2 and rest all give nitrites and oxygen.
Nitrates 2MNO3  2MNO2+O2 (except Li)

4LiNO3  2Li2O + LiNO2+ O2

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 6

Solutions in liquid NH3
Alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia (high conc. 3 M) and give blue solution which is conducting,
reducing and paramagnetic in nature.

Reason
On dissolving Metal in NH3
+ –
M(s) + NH3()  M (NH ) +e(NH )
3 3

M+ + x (NH3)  [M (NH3)X ]+  Ammoniated cation

e– + y (NH3)  [e(NH3)y ]–  Ammoniated electron

The blue colour is due to  Ammoniated electron

The paramagnetic nature is due to  Ammoniated electron

The conducting nature is due to  Ammoniated M+ + Ammoniated electron

On standing the colour fades due to formation of amide

M+ + e– + NH3  MNH2 (amide) + H2 (g)

In the absence of impurities like. Fe, Pt, Zn etc, the solutions are stable.

In concentrated solution, the blue colour changes to bronze colour and diamagnetic due to the
formation of metal clusters and ammoniated electrons also associate to form electron pairs
2 e– (NH3)y  [ e– (NH3)y]2

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Important

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 7

 Important

Uses : Lithium metal is used to make useful alloys, for example with lead to make ‘white metal’ bearings for
motor engines, with aluminium to make aircraft parts, and with magnesium to make armour plates. It is
used in thermonuclear reactions. Lithium is also used to make electrochemical cells. Sodium is used to
make a Na/Pb alloy needed to make PbEt4 and PbMe4. These organolead compounds were earlier
used as anti-knock additives to petrol, but nowadays vehicles use lead-free petrol. Liquid sodium metal
is used as a coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors. Potassium has a vital role in biological systems.
Potassium chloride is used as a fertilizer. Potassium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soft soap.
It is also used as an excellent absorbent of carbon dioxide. Caesium is used in devising photoelectric
cells.
Group IIA Elements (Alkaline Earth Metals)

KEY ATOMIC PROPERTIES, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, AND REACTIONS

KEY Atomic No. 2

ns Atomic Properties Electronegativity
Symbol Group electron 0 1 2 3 4
Atomic mass configuration is ns2
–
Valence e configuration 1.5
(filled ns sublevel). Be 1757
(Common oxidation states)
All members have 899
4 the +2 oxidation 1.2
Mg 1450
Be state and except for 738
9.012 GROUP IIA (2) Be, form an E2+ ion. 1.0
2 1145
2s Ca
Ionic
Atoms and ionic 590
(+2) Atomic
radius radius sizes increase down 1.0
12 (pm) (pm)
the group but are Sr 1064
Mg Be smaller than for the 0.9
549
24.30 112 corresponding 1A (1) Ba 965
2
3s elements. IE and EN 503
(+2) Mg Mg
2+
decrease down the 0.9 En
160 72 Ra 975
20 group but are higher
IE2
509 IE1
Ca 2+ than for the
Ca Ca
40.08 197 100 corresponding 1A(1) 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
2
4s elements. lonlzation energy (KJ/mol)
(+2)
2+
38 Sr Sr
215 118
Sr Physical Properties Density (g/mL)
87.62
2
Ba Ba2+ Metallic bonding 0 3 6 9 12
5s
222 135
(+2) involves two 1.848
~2500
56 valence electrons. Be 1287
Ba Ra Ra2+ These metals are 1.738
(~220) 148 1105
137.9 still relatively soft Mg
6s
2 649
(+2)
but are much harder 1.55
1494
88 than the 1A(1) Ca 839
Ra metals. Melting and 2.63
1381
(226) boiling points Sr 768
2
7s generally decrease 3.62
1850
(+2) and densities Ba 727 density
generally increase 5.5
1700 bp
Ra
down the group. 700 mp

These values are 00 1000 2000 3000

much higher than Temperature (°C)
for 1A(1) elements
and the trend is not
as regular.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 8

 The elements of Group 2 include beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium
(Ba) and radium (Ra). These elements with the exception of beryllium are commonly known as the
alkaline earth metals. These are so called because their oxide and hydroxide are alkaline in nature and
these metal oxides are found in the earth’s crust.

S.No. Atomic Property Alkaline earth metals

1. Outer Electronic ns2
configuration
2. The IP1 of these metals are much lower than IP2 and thus it appears that
Oxidation number
and valency these metals should form univalent ion rather than divalent ions but in actual practice,
all these give bivalent ion.
3. The atomic and ionic radii of the alkali earth metal are smaller than corresponding
alkali metals.
Atomic and Ionic Reason
radii higher nuclear charge (Zeff)
On moving down the group size increase, as value of n increases.
Be < Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba
4. Down the group IE decreases due to increase in size. Be > Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba
IE1 of Alkali metal < IE1 of Alkaline earth metal
IE2 of Alkali metal > IE2 of Alkaline earth metal
Reason
Ionisation Energy IE1 of Alkaline earth metal is large due to increased nuclear charge in Alkaline earth
metal as compared to Alkali metal but IE2 of Alkali metal is large because second
electron in Alkali metal is to be removed from cation which has already acquired noble
gas configuration

5. Electropositive Due to low IE they are strong electropositive but not as strong as Alkali metal because
character or of comparatively high IE. The electropositive character increase down the group.
metallic character Order = Be < Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba

2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
6. Hydration of ions Hydration energy = Be > Mg > Ca > Sr >Ba
7. Electronegativity (i) Their electronegativities are also small but are higher than that of alkali metals
(ii) Electronegativity decrease from Be to Ba

S.No. Physical Alkaline Earth Metals

Property
1. (i) Heavier than alkali metals.
Density (ii) Density decrease slightly up to Ca after which it increases.
(iii) Density of Mg is greater than Ca.
2. Hardness Relatively soft but harder than Alkali metals.
3. They have low Melting points and Boiling points but are higher than corresponding
value of group I.
Reason
Melting points/ They have two valence electrons which may participate in metallic bonding compared
Boiling points with only one electron in Alkali metal. Consequently group II elements are harder and
have higher cohesive energy and so, have much higher Melting points / Boiling points
than Alkali metal .
M.P. = Be > Ca > Sr >Ba > Mg ,B.P. = Be > Mg > Ca > Ba > Sr
4. Specific heat The trend is not regular however values are greater than that of alkali metals.

S.No. Chemical Alkaline Earth Metals

Property
1. (i) Be and Mg are kinetically inert towards oxygen becasue of formation of a film of oxide on
their surface. However powdered Be burn brilliantly.
2Be + O2 (air) 

2BeO (amphoteric) ; 3Be + N2 (air) 

Be3N2
Action with (ii) Mg is more electropositive and burns with dazzling brilliance in air give MgO and Mg3N2.
O2 and N2 Mg + O2 (air)  
MgO ; Mg + N2 (air)  
Mg3N2
(Similar property with Li because both shows diagonal relation.)
(iii) Ba gives BaO2 not BaO.
(iv) Calcium, strontium and barium are readily attacked by air to form the oxide and nitride.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 9

 They also react water with increasing vigour even in cold to form hydroxides.
(v) BeO, MgO are used as refractory, because they have high M.P.
(vi) Other metals (Ba or Sr form peroxide)
M + O2  
MO2
2. (i) Ca , Sr , Ba and Ra decompose cold water readily with evolution of hydrogen.
Action with M + 2H2O  M(OH) 2 + H2
water (ii) Magnesium decomposes boiling water but beryllium is not attacked by water even at
high temperatures as its oxidation potential is lower than the other members
3. (i) Except Be, all alkaline earth metals form hydrides (MH2) on heating directly with H2.
(ii)The stability of hydrides decreases from Be to Ra.
(iii) BeH2 is prepared by the action of LiAlH4 on BeCl2.
Hydrides
BeCl2+LiAlH4 — 2BeH2 + LiCl+ AlCl3
BeH2 & MgH2 is covalent but other are ionic.
(iv) The ionic hydrides of Ca, Sr, Ba liberate H2 at anode and metal at cathode.
4. (i)The alkaline earth metals directly combine with halogens on heating to give metal halides
MX2 (X=F,Cl,Br,I)
(ii) Thermal decomposition of (NH4)2BeF4 is the best route for the preparation of BeF2, and
BeCl2 is conveniently made from the oxide.
BeO + C + Cl BeCl2 + CO
(iii) Except for beryllium halides, all other halides of alkaline earth metals are ionic in nature.
Beryllium halides are essentially covalent and soluble in organic solvents. Beryllium
chloride has a chain structure in the solid state as shown below:
Cl–Be–Cl
Cl Cl
Be Be Be
Cl
Cl
Halides In the vapour phase BeCl2 tends to form a chloro-bridged dimer which dissociates into the
linear monomer at high temperatures of the order of 1200 K.
(iv)The ionic character of halides increases from Be to Ra.
(v)Beryllium halides have covalent character due to small size and high effective nuclear
charge and thus do not conduct electricity in molten state.
(vi) The fluorides are relatively less soluble than the chlorides owing to their high lattice
energies.
(vii)The decreases in solubility of halides down the group is due to decrease in hydration
energy because of increasing size of metal cation .
(viii) The tendency to form halide hydrates gradually decreases (for example, MgCl2·8H2O,
CaCl2·6H2O, SrCl2·6H2O and BaCl2·2H2O) down the group. The dehydration of hydrated
chlorides, bromides and iodides of Ca, Sr and Ba can be achieved on heating; however, the
corresponding hydrated halides of Be and Mg on heating suffer hydrolysis.
(ix) CaCl2 has strong affinity with water and is used as dehydrating agent.
5. The alkaline earth metals are strong reducing agents. This is indicated by large negative
values of their reduction potentials (below table). However their reducing power is less than
those of their corresponding alkali metals. Beryllium has less negative value compared to
other alkaline earth metals.
Reducing However, its reducing nature is due to large hydration energy associated with the small size
2+
nature of Be ion and relatively large value of the atomization enthalpy of the metal.
Property Alkaline earth metals
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
Standard potentials
+ – 1.97 – 2.36 – 2.84 – 2.89 – 2.92 – 2.92
E/V for (M /M)
6. Basic nature Order = Be(OH)2<Mg(OH)2< Ca(OH)2< Sr(OH)2 <Ba(OH)2
of hydroxide
7. (i) All these metal carbonates MCO3 are insoluble in neutral medium but soluble in acids
and decompose on red heating.
(ii) The stability of carbonates increases with increase in electropositive character of metal.
Carbonates (iii) Bicarbonates of alkaline earth metals do not exist in solid state but are known in
and solution only on heating their solution bicarbonates decomposed to liberate CO2 .
bicarbonates 
M(HCO3)2  MCO3+CO2+H2O
(Solution)
(iv)Solubility of carbonates decrease on moving down the group.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 10

 8. Complex ion Be
2+
on account of smaller size forms many complexes such as [Be F3]- , [BeF4]
2–

formation 2+
Chlorophyll contains Mg [Photosynthetic pigment in plants] (C.No.= 4)
9. Reaction The alkaline earth metals readily react with acids liberated dihydrogen.
with acids M + 2HCl  MCl2 + H2
10. Formation of Alkaline earth metals get dissolved in mercury to form amalgams with evolution of heat and
amalgams the amalgamation is highly exothermic.
11. (i) MSO4 type sulphates are formed
(ii)The solubility of sulphates decreases on moving down the group. The sulphates of the
alkaline earth metals are all white solids and stable to heat. BeSO4, and MgSO4 are readily
Sulphates soluble in water; the solubility decreases from CaSO4 to BaSO4. The greater hydration
2+ 2+
enthalpies of Be and Mg ions overcome the lattice enthalpy factor and therefore their
sulphates are soluble in water.
(iii) MSO4 + 2C  MS + 2CO2
12. Sulphides M + S  MS
2+ 2-

13. On heating they decompose into their corresponding oxides with evolution of a mixture of
nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
Nitrates 1
M(NO3)2  MO+2NO2+ O2
2
(M = Be, Mg , Cr, Sr, Ba )

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Mg3N2
Important
N2

Cl2
MgCl2 Mg Mg(OH)2
r
HB
C2 5 O2
OH
– +
H

H
+
2+ CO32–
C2H5MgBr MgO Mg MgCO3

Ca(OH)2 HCl

Seawater containing Mg(OH)2

2+
Mg

)
l 2(aq
MgC HCl

Evaporation MgCl2 Cl2 (g)

Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl–(aq) MgCl2(s)
Molten

Product
Mg

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 11

 The Dow process for the production of Mg

Ca3 N2

Important
N2
H+
Cl2 H2 O 2+
CaCl2 Ca Ca(OH)2 Ca
–
OH
O2 O CO2
H2 2–
CO3
CO2 CO2
CaO CaCO3 Ca(HCO3 )2
H2O

C H 2O

CaC2 N2 CaCN2

Ba3N2

N2
H+
Cl2 H2 O 2+ SO4
2–

BaCl2 Ba Ba(OH)2 Ba BaSO4

OH–
O2 O CO2
H2 2–
CO3

BaO CO2 BaCO3

XeO2

BaO2

Uses : Beryllium is used in the manufacture of alloys. Copper-beryllium alloys are used in the preparation of
high strength springs. Metallic beryllium is used for making windows of X-ray tubes.
Magnesium forms alloys with aluminium, zinc, manganese and tin. Magnesium-aluminium alloys being
light in mass are used in air-craft construction. Magnesium (powder and ribbon) is used in flash
powders and bulbs, incendiary bombs and signals.
A suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water (called milk of magnesia) is used as antacid in
medicine. Magnesium carbonate is an ingredient of toothpaste.
Calcium is used in the extraction of metals from oxides which are difficult to reduce with carbon.
Calcium and barium metals, owing to their reactivity with oxygen and nitrogen at elevated
temperatures, have often been used to remove air from vacuum tubes. Radium salts are used in
radiotherapy, for example, in the treatment of cancer.
Monovalent sodium and potassium ions and divalent magnesium and calcium ions are found in large
proportions in biological fluids. These ions perform important biological functions such as
maintenance of ion balance and nerve impulse conduction.
BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM :
An adult body contains about 25 g of Mg and 1200 g of Ca compared with only 5 g of iron and 0.06 g
of copper. The daily requirement in the human body has been estimated to be 200–300 mg.
All enzymes that utilise ATP in phosphate transfer require magnesium as the cofactor. The main
pigment for the absorption of light in plants is chlorophyll which contains magnesium. About 99 % of
body calcium is present in bones and teeth. It also plays important roles in neuromuscular function,
interneuronal transmission, cell membrane integrity and blood coagulation.
–1
The calcium concentration in plasma is regulated at about 100 mgL . It is maintained by two
hormones : calcitonin and parathyroid hormone. Do you know that bone is not an inert and unchanging
substance but is continuously being solubilised and redeposited to the extent of 400 mg per day in
man? All this calcium passes through the plasma.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 12

ANOMALOUS PROPERTIES OF LITHIUM
The anomalous behavior of lithium is due to the :
(i) Exceptionally small size of its atom and ion,
(ii) High polarising power (i.e., charge/ radius ratio ).
As a result, there is increased covalent character of lithium compound which is responsible for their
solubility in organic solvent. Further, lithium shows diagonal relationship to magnesium.
S.No. Property Li
1. Hardness Li is much harder.
2. M.P and B.P Higher M.P and B.P
3. Reactivity Less reactive
4. Reducing agent Strong
5. Combustion in air Li form monoxide (Li2O) and nitride (Li3N) ; not for other.
6. Hydration of ion Favored for Li; not for other.
Li has maximum degree of hydration for this reason. Lithium salts are mostly
hydrated. E.g LiCl.2H2O.
7. Hydrogen Carbonate Li is not obtained in the solid form while all other elements form solid hydrogen
carbonates.
8. Ethynide Favored for Li ; not for other.
9. Lithium nitrate 4LiNO3 
2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
Lithium Oxide
Where as other alkali metal nitrates decompose to give the corresponding nitrite.
2NaNO3  
2NaNO2 + O2
Sodium nitrite
10. LiF and Li2O These are much less soluble in water. Solubility in water is less than the
corresponding compounds of other alkali metal.
11. Carbide Li reacts directly with carbon to form anionic carbide.
12. Hydroxide Lithium hydroxide is less basic Li2CO3 , LiNO3 and LiOH all form the oxides an
gentle heating.
13. Carbonate Less stable.
14. Nitrite Less stable.
15. Bicarbonate Lithium forms a bicarbonates in solution it does not form a solid bicarbonate.
Where as the other all forms stable solid Carbonates.
16. Complex ion formation Lithium has a great tendency to form. Complexes not for other. Due to small size
of Lithium.

Points of Similarities between Lithium and Magnesium

The similarity between lithium and magnesium is particularly striking and arises because of their
similar size: atomic radii, Li = 152 pm, Mg = 160 pm; ionic radii : Li+ = 76 pm, Mg2+ = 72 pm. The main
points of similarity are :
S.No. Properties Li and Mg
1. Hardness Li and Mg are much harder. 1
2. Density These are lighter than other elements in the respective group.
3. Reaction with water Both react slowly with water. 2
4. Solubility of hydroxide and Less soluble and their hydroxides decompose in acid on heating. 3
oxide
5. Reaction with N2 By direct combination with nitrogen both form a nitride Li3N and Mg3N2.
6. Oxides The oxides Li2O and MgO donot combine with excess oxygen to give 4
any superoxide.
7. Carbonates Carbonates of both decompose easily on heating to form the oxides and
CO2. Solid hydrogen carbonates are not formed by Li and Mg.
8. Solubility of halides in ethanol Both LiCl and MgCl2 are soluble.
9. Hydration of ion Both LiCl and MgCl2 are deliquescent and crystallise from aqueous
solution as hydrates, LiCl2.H2O and MgCl2.6H2O.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 13

Anamolous Behaviour of Beryllium
The properties of beryllium the first member of the alkaline earth metal, differ from the rest of the
member. Its is mainly because of
(i) Its small size and high polarizing power.
(ii) Relatively high electro negativity and ionization energy as compared to other members.
(iii) Absence of vacant d–orbitals in its valence shell.
Some important points of difference between beryllium and other members (especially magnesium) are
given below.
S.No. Properties Be
1. Hardness Be is harder than other members of its group.
2. Density Be is lighter than Mg.
3. M.P. and B.P. Higher then other members of its group.
4. Reaction with water Be does not react with water while Mg reacts with boiling water.
5. Nature of oxides BeO is amphoteric while MgO is weakly basic.
6. Nature of compounds Be forms covalent compounds whereas other members form ionic compounds.
7. Carbide Beryllium carbide reacts with water to give methane whereas carbides of other
alkaline earth metals gives acetylene gas.
Be2C + 4H2O → 2Be (OH)2 + CH4
Mg2C2 + 2H2O → Mg (OH)2 + C2H2
CaC2 + 2H2O → Ca (OH)2 + C2H2
8. Hydride The beryllium hydride is electron deficient and polymeric, with muti center
bonding like aluminium hydride.
9. Co-ordination number Beryllium does not exhibit coordination number more than four as it has four
orbitals in the valence shell. The other members of this group has coordination
number 6.

Resemblance of Beryllium with Aluminium (Diagonal relationship)

The following points illustrate the anomalous behaviour of Be and its resemblance with Al.
S.No. Properties Be and Al
1. Nature of compounds Unlike groups-2 elements but like aluminium, beryllium forms covalent compounds.
2. Nature of hydroxide The hydroxides of Be, [Be(OH)2] and aluminium [Al(OH)3] are amphoteric in
nature, whereas those of other elements of group – 2 are basic in nature.
3. Nature of oxide The oxides of both Be and Al i.e. BeO and Al2O3 are high melting insoluble solids.
4. Polymeric structure BeCl2 and AlCl3 have bridged chloride polymeric structure.
+ Cl
Cl Cl

- -
Cl
l Al
Cl Be Cl
+
Cl Cl Cl Cl

5. Salts The salts of beryllium as well as aluminium are extensively hydrolysed.

6. Carbides Carbides of both the metal reacts with water liberating methane gas.
Be2C + 4H2O → 2Be (OH)2 + CH4
Al4C3 + 12H2O → 4Al(OH)3 + 3CH4
7. Oxides and The oxides and hydroxides of both Be and Al are amphoteric and dissolve in
hydroxides sodium hydroxide as well as in hydrochloric acid.
BeO + 2HCl → BeCl2 + H2O
BeO + 2NaOH → Na2BeO2 + H2O
Al2O3 + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + H2O
Al2O3 + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO2 + H2O
8. Reaction with acids Like Al, Be is not readily attacked by acids because of the presence of an oxide
film.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 14

 GROUP -I & II OXIDES
Sodium Oxide (Na2O)
Preparation
Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction

(1) By burning sodium at 180°C in a limited 1 180 0

supply of air or oxygen and distilling off the 2Na + O2  Na2O
excess of sodium in vacuum. 2

(2) By heating sodium peroxide, nitrate or

Na2O2 + 2Na 
 2Na2O
Sodium Oxide nitrite with sodium.
(Na2O) 2NaNO3 + 10Na 
 6Na2O + N2

2NaNO2 + 6Na  4Na2O + N2

(3) Sodium oxide is formed when the mixture 3NaN3 + NaNO2  2Na2O + 5N2
of sodium azide and sodium nitrite is heated.

Chemical Properties :
(1) It is white amorphous substance.
(2) It decomposes at 400°C into sodium peroxide and sodium.
400C
2Na2O  Na2O2 + 2Na
(3) It dissolve violently in water, yielding caustic soda (NaOH) and evolving a large amount of heat.
Na2O + H2O  2NaOH
Uses : It is used as dehydrating and polymerising agent in organic chemistry.

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Sodium Peroxide (Na2O2)

Preparation

Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
(1) By heating the metal in excess of air or 300 0 C
 Na2O2
2Na + O2(excess)  
oxygen at 300°, which is free from
moisture and CO2.
Sodium Peroxides
(Na2O2) (2) Industrial method : 2Na + O2  Na2O
It is a two stage reaction in the presence of
excess air. Na2O + O2  Na2O2

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 15

Properties
(1) It is a pale yellow solid (when impure), becoming white in air from the formation of a film of NaOH and
Na2CO3.
(2) In cold water (~0°C) produces H2O2 but at room temperature produces O2. In ice-cold mineral acids
also produces H2O2.
~ 0C
Na2O2 + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2O2
25C
2Na2O2 + 2H2O  4NaOH + O2
~ 0C
Na2O2 + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + H2O2
25C
2Na2O2 + H2SO4  2Na2SO4 + 2H2O + O2
(3) It reacts with CO2, giving sodium carbonate and oxygen and hence its use for purifying air in a confined
space e.g. submarine, ill-ventilated room.
2Na2O2 + 2CO2  2Na2CO3 + O2
Na2O2 + CO  Na2CO3
(4) It is an oxidising agent and oxidises charcoal, CO, NH3, SO2.

3Na2O2 + 2C  2Na2CO3 + 2Na [deposition of metallic Na]

CO + Na2O2  Na2CO3
SO2 + Na2O2  Na2SO4
2NH3 + 3Na2O2  6NaOH + N2

(5) It contains peroxide ion [–O–O–]–2 and it react with C6H5COCl formed Benzoyl peroxide (Bleaching
agent). So, it acts as a powerful oxidising agent.
2C6H5COCl+ Na2O2  (C6H5CO)2O2 + 2NaCl
(Benzoyl peroxide)

(a) Chromic compounds are oxidised to chromates

2Cr(OH)3 + 3Na2O2 2Na2CrO4 + 2NaOH + 2H2O


or
2Cr(OH)3 + 3O22–  2CrO 2– + 2OH– + 2H O
4 2

(b) Manganous salt is oxidised to sodium manganate.

MnSO4 + 2Na2O2  Na2MnO4 + Na2SO4
or
Mn(OH)2 + 2O22–  MnO42– + 2OH–

(c) Sulphides are oxidised to corresponding sulphates

Na2O2  Na2O + [O] ; Na2S + 4[O]  Na
2SO4
(d) Na2O2  Na2O + [O] ; 2Al + 3 [O]  Al
2O3
(6) Reduces stronger oxidising agent such as acidified KMnO4

2MnO4– + 16H+ + 5O22–  2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 5O2

Uses :
(1) For preparing H2O2, O2 .
(2) Oxygenating the air in submarines.
(3) Oxidising agent in the laboratory.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 16

 Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Oxides of potassium

Oxides of
Potassium
K2O K2O2 K2O3* KO2 KO3
Colours Orange Red
White White Red Bright Yellow
Solid

* Potassium sesquioxide (need not memorize).

Preparation

Name of compound Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction
process
By heating potassium nitrate
with potassium.
2KNO3 + 10K heating
 6K2O + N2
K2O heating
K2O  K2O
(Potassium oxide) (White) (Yellow)
K2O + H2O 
 2KOH

Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
K2O2 By burning potassium at 300°C in a Controlled
2K + O2   K2O2
limited supply of air or oxygen. air at 300 º C
(Potassium peroxide)

Name of compound Name and Brief about Related chemical reaction

the process
Pas 2O
K in liq. NH3  K2O2  K2O3  KO2
(i) Passage of O2 through
white red yellow
a blue solution of K in
~ 0C
liquid NH3 yields oxides 2KO2 + 2H2O  2KOH + H2O2 + O2
K2O2 (white), K2O3 (red)
KO2 and KO2 (deep yellow) i.e
KO2 reacts with H2O and
(Potassium superoxide)
produces H2O2 and O2
both.
(ii) It is prepared by K + O2  KO2
burning potassium in
excess of oxygen free
from moisture.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 17

 Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction

It is obtained when oxygen is 3O 2

4K (dissolved in liquid NH3)   2K O
K2O3 passed through liquid ammonia 2 3
(Potassium sesquioxide) containing potassium.

Name of compound Name and Brief Related chemical reaction

About the
process

KO3 From KOH 1 0 to1 5 C

KOH + O3 (ozonised oxygen)    KO3
(Potassium ozonide)
(Dry powdered) (orange solid)

Properties of Potassium superoxide (KO2)

It is a orange coloured (chrome yellow) powder and reacts with water according to following reaction.
2KO2 + 2H2O  2KOH + H2O2 + O2
It reacts directly with CO and CO2.
2KO2 + CO  K2CO3 + O2 ; 2KO2 + CO2  K
2CO3 + O2
If more CO2, in presence of moisture is present; then
4KO2 + 4CO2 + 2H2O  4KHCO3 + 3O2
On heating with sulphur, it forms potassium sulphate
2KO2 + S  K2SO4
Uses : It is used as an oxidising agent and air purifier in space capsules, submarine and breathing mask as it
produces O2 and removes CO2.

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Magnesium Oxide (MgO)

Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) It is also called magnesia and obtained by MgCO3 

 MgO + CO2
heating natural magnesite.

Properties :
(1) It is white powder.
(2) It's m.p. is 2850°C. Hence used in manufacture of refractory bricks for furances. And it is acts as basic
flux and facilitates the removal of acidic impurities of Si, P and S from steel through slag formation.
(3) It is very slightly soluble in water imparting alkaline reaction.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 18

 Calcium Oxide (CaO)
Preparation
Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
It is commonly called as quick lime or lime
Calcium Oxide CaCO3 
 CaO + CO2 + 42000 cal.
and made by decomposing lime stone at a
(CaO) high temperature about 1000°C.

Chemical Properties :
(1) It is white amorphous powder of m.p. 2570°C. On exposure to atmosphere ; it absorbs moisture and
carbondioxide.
CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2 ; CaO + CO2  CaCO3
(2) It emits intense light (lime light), when heated in oxygen-hydrogen flame.
(3) It combines with limited amount of water to produce slaked lime. This process is called slaking of lime.
Quick lime slaked with soda gives solid sodalime (CaO). Being a basic oxide.
CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2
(4) Soda lime (basic oxide) combines with some acidic oxides at high temperature.
CaO + SiO2  CaSiO3
6CaO + P4O10  2Ca3(PO4)2
CaO + CO2  CaCO3
Uses :
(i) It is an important primary material for manufacturing cement and is the cheapest form of alkali.
(ii) It is used in the manufacture of sodium carbonate from caustic soda.
(iii) It is employed in the purification of sugar and in the manufacture of dye stuffs.
Magnesium Peroxide (MgO2) and Calcium Peroxide (CaO2)
These are obtained by passing H2O2 in a suspension of Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2.
Uses : MgO2 is used as an antiseptic in tooth paste and as a bleaching agent.

HYDROXIDES
Sodium Hydroxides(Caustic Soda) NaOH
Preparation :

Name of Name and Brief about Related chemical reaction

compound the process
(1) Electrolysis of Brine : + – Hg
Cathode:Na + e  Na-amalgam
Sodium hydroxide is
generally prepared – 1 –
Anode : Cl  Cl2 + e
commercially by the 2
electrolysis of sodium
chloride in Castner-Kellner
cell. A brine solution is
electrolysed using a
mercury cathode and a
carbon anode. Sodium
metal discharged at the
cathode combines with
Sodium
mercury to form sodium
Hydroxides
amalgam. Chlorine gas is
(NaOH) evolved at the anode.
The amalgam is treated
with water to give sodium
hydroxide and hydrogen
gas.
2Na-amalgam + 2H2O 2NaOH + 2Hg + H2
(2) Caustication of Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  2NaOH + CaCO3

Na2CO3 (Gossage's
method) (suspension)

Since the Ksp (CaCO3) < Ksp(Ca(OH)2), the reaction shifts towards
right.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 19

Properties
(1) Sodium hydroxide is a white, translucent solid. It melts at 591 K. It is readily soluble in water to give a
strong alkaline solution. Crystals of sodium hydroxide are deliquescent. The sodium hydroxide solution
at the surface reacts with the CO2 in the atmosphere to form Na2CO3.
(2) It is white crystalline, deliquescent, highly corrosive solid.
(3) It is stable towards heat.
(4) It's aqueous solution alkaline in nature and soapy in touch.
(5) NH4Cl + NaOH  NaCl + NH3  + H2O

FeCl3 + 3NaOH  Fe(OH)3  + 3NaCl

Brown ppt
ZnCl2 + 2NaOH  Zn(OH)2  + 2NaCl

Zn(OH)2 + 2NaOH  Na2ZnO2 + 2H2O [Same with AlCl3, SnCl2, PbCl2]

soluble
(6) Acidic and amphoteric oxides gets dissolved easily e.g.
CO2 + 2NaOH  Na2CO3 + H2O

Al2O3 + 2NaOH  2NaAlO2 + H2O

(7) Aluminium and Zn metal gives H2 from NaOH.

2Al + 2NaOH + 2H2O  3H2 + 2NaAlO2

(8) Several non metals such as P, S, Cl etc. yield a hydride instead of hydrogen.e.g.
4P + 3NaOH + 3H2O  PH3 + 3NaH2PO2 (Disproportionation reaction)

Uses : It is used in
(i) The manufacture of soap, paper, artificial silk and a number of chemicals.
(ii) In petroleum refining.
(iii) In the purification of bauxite.
(iv) In the textile industries for mercerising cotton fabrics.
(v) For the preparation of pure fats and oils .
(vi) As a laboratory reagent.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 20

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 21

Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)

Preparation
(1) It is prepared by electrolysis of KCl solution.
(2) KOH resembles NaOH in all its reactions. However KOH is much more soluble in alcohol. This
accounts for the use of alcoholic KOH in organic chemistry.
(3) KOH is called caustic potash, because of their corrosive properties (for example on glass or on skin)
and its aqueous solution is known as potash lye.
2KOH + 4NO  2KNO2 + N2O + H2O
4KOH + 6NO  4KNO2 + N2 + 2H2O
(4) It is used for the absorption of gases like CO2, SO2, etc. It is used for making soft soaps.

Properties Same as NaOH

(1) It is stronger base compared to NaOH.
(2) Solubility in water is more compared to NaOH.
(3) In alcohol, NaOH is sparingly soluble but KOH is highly soluble.
(4) As a reagent KOH is less frequently used but in absorption of CO2, KOH is preferably used compared
to NaOH. Because KHCO3 formed is soluble whereas NaHCO3 is insoluble and may therefore choke
the tubes of apparatus used.

Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)

It occurs in nature as the mineral brucite.
Preparation

Name of compound Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction
process
It can be prepared by adding MgSO4 + 2NaOH  Mg(OH)2 + Na2SO4
Magnesium caustic soda solution to a MgCl2 + 2NaOH  Mg(OH)2 + 2NaCl
Hydroxide solution of Magnesium sulphate
MgCl2 + Ca(OH)2  Mg(OH)2 + 2NaCl
(Mg(OH)2) or chloride solution.
MgO + H2O  Mg(OH)2

Chemical Properties :
(1) It can be dried at temperature upto 100°C only otherwise it breaks into its oxide at higher temperature.
Mg(OH)2  MgO + H2O
(2) It is slightly soluble in water imparting alkalinity.
(3) It dissolves in NH4Cl solution.
Mg(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl  MgCl2 + 2NH4OH
2+
Thus, Mg(OH)2 is not therefore precipitated from a solution of Mg ions by NH4OH in presence of
excess of NH4Cl.
Uses : A suspension of Mg(OH)2 in water is used in medicine as an antacid under the name, milk of
magnesia.

Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

Name of compound Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) By spraying water on quicklime. CaO + H2O 
 Ca(OH)2

Preparation
Calcium hydroxide is prepared by adding water to quick lime (CaO).

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 22

 CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2
Properties
(1) It is a white amorphous powder.
(2) It is sparingly soluble in water.
(3) It's solubility in hot water is less than that of cold water. Hence solubility decreases with increase in
temperature.
(4) The aqueous solution is known as lime water and a suspension of slaked lime in water is known as milk
of lime.
(5) When carbon dioxide is passed through lime water it turns milky due to the formation of calcium
carbonate.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2  CaCO3 + H2O
On passing excess of carbon dioxide, the precipitate dissolves to form calcium hydrogen carbonate.
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
Uses:
(i) It is used in the preparation of mortar, a building material.
(ii) It is used in white wash due to its disinfectant nature.
(iii) It is used in glass making, in tanning industry, for the preparation of bleaching powder and for
purification of sugar.

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Cl2 CaOCl2
(Bleaching powder)

Na2CO3 NaOH
(Castic-soda)
+ H2O Ca(OH)2
(slaked lime) 1 part slaked lime + 3 or 4 parts silica + water
SiO2
(mortar)
used as a building material

CaO
Quicklime Absorbs CO2 gas

+ Slaking with NaOH + Ca(OH)2

NaOH solution (Soda lime)

CaCN2 + C
+ Coke N2 H2O
CaC2 (Nitrolium) NH3
Heated in electric use as a fertilizer
0
furnace at 2000 C
H2O

C2H2
(Acetylene)

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 23

 CARBONATES
Sodium Carbonate (Washing soda) Na2CO3.10H2O
Preparation :

Name of Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction

compound process
(1) Leblanc Process mild heating
NaCl + H2SO4(conc.)    NaHSO4 + HCl
Strongly
Sodium NaCl + NaHSO4   Na2SO4 + HCl
heated
Carbonate
(Washing soda) (Salt Cake)
Na2CO3.10H2O Na2SO4 + 4C  Na2S + 4CO 
Na2S + CaCO3  Na2CO3 + CaS
(2) Solvay Process 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O  (NH4)2CO3
Step-1(In ammonia absorber)
(i)Saturation of brine with CaCl2 + (NH4)2CO3  CaCO3 + 2NH4Cl
ammonia and CO2 MgCl2 + (NH4)2CO3  MgCO3 + 2NH4Cl
(ii) Ammoniated brine is filtered
to remove calcium and
magnesium impurities as their
insoluble carbonates.

Step-2 (In carbonation tower) : NH3 + CO2 + H2O  NH4HCO3 ;

(i) Formation of insoluble
30 º C
NaHCO3 NH4HCO3 + NaCl  NaHCO3 + NH4Cl
(ii) Reaction is exothermic and
hence there is a cooling
arrangement.
(iii) NaHCO3 is insoluble in
cold brine solution because
of the common ion effect. It is
separated by filtration and the
filtered is used for recovering
NH3 & CO2.

Step-3 (Calcination to get 150 º C

2 NaHCO3  Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
sodium carbonate) :
Step - 4 (In recovery tower) :  / Steam
NH4 HCO3   NH3 + CO2 + H2O
Recovery of ammonia and
 / Steam
carbondioxide. 2NH4 Cl +Ca(OH)2   2NH3+ 2H2O+CaCl2
CaCl2 is obtained as by
product.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 24

 Schematic representation of the solvay process for manufacture of Na2CO3 and
NaHCO3 from CaCO3, NH3 and NaCl.
Properties

(1) Anhydrous Na2CO3 is called as soda ash, which does not decompose on heating but melts at 852°C.
(2) Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline solid which exists as a decahydrate, Na2CO3·10H2O. This is
also called washing soda. It is readily soluble in water. On heating, the decahydrate loses its water of
crystallisation to form monohydrate. Above 373K, the monohydrate becomes completely anhydrous and
changes to a white powder called soda ash.
375K
Na2CO3·10H2O   Na2CO3·H2O + 9H2O
 373K
Na2CO3·H2O   Na2CO3 + H2O

(soda ash)
Carbonate part of sodium carbonate gets hydrolysed by water to form an alkaline solution.
2- – –
CO3 + H2O  HCO3 + OH
(3) Na2CO3 absorbs CO2 yielding sparingly soluble sodium bicarbonate which can be calcined at 250° to
get pure sodium carbonate.
Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 2NaHCO3
(4) It dissolved in acid with effervescence of CO2 and causticised by lime to give caustic soda.
Na2CO3 + HCl  2NaCl + H2O + CO2
Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2  2NaOH + CaCO3

Uses
(i) It is used in water softening, laundering and cleaning.
(ii) It is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, borax and caustic soda.
(iii) It is used in paper, paints and textile industries.
(iv) It is an important laboratory reagent both in qualitative and quantitative analysis.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 25

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3)

Name of Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction

compound process
By leblance process, it can be mild heating
KCl + H2SO4 (conc.)    KHSO4 + HCl
prepared but by solvay process it
Strongly
Potassium cannot be prepared because KCl + KHSO4    K2SO4 + HCl
heated
Carbonate KHCO3 is soluble in water.
(K2CO3) K2SO4 + 4C  K2S + 4CO 

K2S + CaCO3  K2CO3 + CaS

Properties
It resembles with Na2CO3, m.p. is 900°C but a mixture of Na2CO3 and K2CO3 melts at 712°C.
Uses It is used in glass manufacturing.

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Name of Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
compound
(1) It occurs in nature as marble, limestone, chalk, CaCl2+ (NH4)2CO3   CaCO3+2NH4Cl
coral, calcite etc. It is prepared by dissolving marble
or limestone in HCl and removing iron and
aluminium present, by precipitating with NH3 and
then adding (NH4)2CO3 to the solution.
Calcium (2) It can be obtained by passing carbon dioxide Ca(OH)2 + CO2  CaCO3 + H2O
Carbonate through lime water or by adding sodium carbonate
(CaCO3) solution to CaCl2. CaCl2 + Na2CO3  CaCO3 + 2NaCl
The precipitate of CaCO3 thus obtained is known
as precipitated chalk.
Excess of carbondioxide should be avoided since
this leads to the formation of water soluble calcium CaCO3 + H2O + CO2  Ca(HCO3)2

hydrogen carbonate.

Properties:
(1) Calcium carbonate is a white fluffy powder. It is almost insoluble in water. When heated to 1200 K, it
decomposes to evolve carbon dioxide.
1200 K
CaCO3   CaO + CO2
(2) It reacts with dilute acid to liberate carbon dioxide.
CaCO3 + 2HCl  CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
CaCO3 + H2SO4  CaSO4 + H2O + CO2

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 26

Uses :
(1) It is used as a building material in the form of marble and in the manufacture of quick lime.
(2) Calcium carbonate along with magnesium carbonate is used as a flux in the extraction of metals such
as iron.
(3) Specially precipitated CaCO3 is extensively used in the manufacture of high quality paper.
(4) It is also used as an antacid, mild abrasive in tooth paste, a constituent of chewing gum, and a filler in
cosmetics.
(5) Precipitated chalk is used in tooth pastes and face powders, in medicine for indigestion, in
adhesives and in cosmetics.
(6) Chalk is used in paints and distempers.
Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3)
It occurs in nature as magnesite, isomorphous with calcite. It is obtained as a white precipitated by
adding sodium bicarbonate to a solution of a magnesium salt; but only basic carbonate, called
magnesia alba, having the approximate composition MgCO3. Mg(OH)2.3H2O is precipitated.
Prepartion :
Name of Name and Brief about the Related chemical reaction
compound process
Magnesium (1) It can be prepared by adding MgSO4 + 2NaHCO3 
 MgCO3 + Na2SO4 + H2O + CO2
Carbonate sodium bicarbonate to a hot
(MgCO3) solution of magnesium salt.
(2) It can be prepared by adding 2MgSO4 + 2Na2CO3 + H2O  MgCO3.Mg(OH)2
sodium carbonate to a hot
solution of magnesium salt. + 2Na2SO4 + CO2
(3) When CO2 gas is passed MgCO3 . Mg(OH)2 + 3CO2 + H2O  2Mg(HCO3)2
through the suspension of basic 
carbonate of magnesium, Mg(HCO3)2  MgCO3 + H2O + CO2
magnesium bicarbonate is
formed which on heating forms
Mg CO3.

Chemical Properties : Same with CaCO3.

Bicarbonates
Sodium Hydrogencarbonate or Sodium bicarbonates (Baking Soda) NaHCO3
Preparation :
Name of Name and Brief about the process Related chemical reaction
compound
Sodium Sodium hydrogencarbonate is made by saturating
bicarbonates a solution of sodium carbonate with carbon dioxide.
(NaHCO3) The white crystalline powder of sodium Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 2NaHCO3
hydrogencarbonate, being less soluble, gets
separated out.
Sodium hydrogencarbonate is known as baking soda because it decomposes on heating to generate
bubbles of carbon dioxide (leaving holes in cakes or pastries and making them light and fluffy).
Uses :
(i) It is used in medicine and as baking powder.
(ii) Sodium hydrogencarbonate is a mild antiseptic for skin infections. It is used in fire extinguishers.

Potassium bicarbonates (KHCO3)

Preparation : Same as NaHCO3
Chemical Properties : Same with NaHCO3
But It is more alkaline and more soluble in water compared to NaHCO3.
Magnesium bicarbonate
MgCO3 + CO2 + H2O Mg(HCO3)2

Calcium bicarbonate
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O  Ca(HCO3)2

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 27

 Chlorides
Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
Preparation :
Prepared from brine containing 25% NaCl.
The most abundant source of sodium chloride is sea water which contains 2.7 to 2.9% by mass of the
salt. In tropical countries like India, common salt is generally obtained by evaporation of sea water.
Approximately 50 lakh tons of salt are produced annually in India by solar evaporation. Crude sodium
chloride, generally obtained by crystallisation of brine solution, contains sodium sulphate, calcium
sulphate, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride as impurities. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and
magnesium chloride (MgCl2) are impurities because they are deliquescent (absorb moisture easily from
the atmosphere). To obtain pure sodium chloride, the crude salt is dissolved in minimum amount of
water and filtered to remove insoluble impurities. The solution is then saturated with hydrogen chloride
gas. Crystals of pure sodium chloride separate out. Calcium and magnesium chloride, being more
soluble than sodium chloride, remain in solution.
Sodium chloride melts at 1081K. It has a solubility of 36.0 g in 100 g of water at 273 K. The solubility
does not increase appreciably with increase in temperature.

Properties :
(1) It is nonhygroscopic but the presence of MgCl2 in common salt renders it hygroscopic.
(2) It is used to prepare freezing mixture in laboratory [Ice-common salt mixture is called freezing mixture
and temperature goes down to –23°C.]
(3) For melting ice and snow on road.

Uses :
(i) It is used as a common salt or table salt for domestic purpose.
(ii) It is used for the preparation of Na2O2, NaOH and Na2CO3.

Potassium Chloride (KCl)

It is also occurs in nature as sylvyne (KCl) or carnalite (2KCl.MgCl2.6H2O)
Uses : It is used as Fertilizer.

Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)

It occurs in nature as mineral carnallite, KCl.MgCl2.6H2O.

Preparation : By dissolving MgCO3 in dil. HCl

MgCO3 + 2HCl  MgCl2 + H2O + CO2

Properties :
(1) It crystallises as hexahydrate. MgCl2. 6H2O
(2) It is deliquescent solid.
(3) This hydrate undergoes hydrolysis as follows:
MgCl2·6H2O  Mg(OH)Cl + HCl + 5H2O

Mg(OH)Cl  MgO + HCl

Hence, Anh. MgCl2 cannot be prepared by heating this hydrate. Because of this formation of HCl. Sea
water cannot be used in marine boilers which corrodes the iron body.
(4) Anhydrous MgCl2 can be prepared by heating a double salt like. MgCl2.NH4Cl.6H2O as follows:
– H2 O strong
MgCl2 . NH4Cl . 6H2O   MgCl2 . NH4Cl   MgCl2 + NH3 + HCl
 

(5) It is a colourless crystalline solid, highly deliquescent and highly soluble in water.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 28

Sorel Cement :
It is a mixture of MgO and MgCl2 (paste like) which set to hard mass on standing. This is used in dental
filling, flooring etc.
Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)
(1) It is the by-product in solvay process.
(2) It may also be prepared by dissolving the carbonate in HCl
CaCO3 + 2HCl  CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
Chemical Properties :
(i) It is deliquescent crystals.
(ii) It gets hydrolysed like MgCl2 hence anhydrous CaCl2 cannot be prepared.
CaCl2 + H2O  CaO + 2HCl
Hence, anh CaCl2 is prepared by heating CaCl2. 6H2O in a current of HCl (dry)
(iii) Anh. CaCl2 is used in drying gases and organic compounds but not NH3 or alcohol due to the
formation of CaCl2 . 8NH3 and CaCl2 . 4C2H5OH.

Sulphates
Sodium Sulphate (Na2SO4)

Preparation :
(1) It is formed in the 1st step of leblanc process by heating common salt with sulphuric acid.
2NaCl + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + 2HCl
Thus the salt cake formed is crystallised out from its aqueous solution as Na2SO4.10H2O. This called
as Glauber's salt. One interesting feature of the solubility of glauber's salt is; when crystallised at
below 32.4°C, then Na2SO4. 10H2O is obtained but above 32.4°C, Na2SO4 (anh.) comes out.
(2) By Hargreaves process :
4NaCl (dry lumps) + 2SO2 (g) + 2H2O (g) + O2 (g)  2Na2SO4 + 4HCl

Chemical Properties :
It is a white crystalline solid and effloresces readily in dry air to form anhydrous sodium sulphate.
It is reduced to sodium sulphide when heated with carbon.
Na2SO4 + 4C  Na2S + 4 CO 
It forms sodium bisulphate when reacted with concentrated H2SO4 .
Na2SO4 + H2SO4  2NaHSO4
Reaction with metal salts.
BaCl2 + Na2 SO4  BaSO4 + 2NaCl
Pb(NO3) + Na2SO4  PbSO4  + 2NaNO3
Uses : It is used in medicine.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 29

Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4)

It occurs in stassfurt potash beds as schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O and Kainite, KCl.MgSO4.3H2O from
which it is obtained by solution in water and crystallisation. It separates from the solution as anh,
crystals whereas Na2SO4 comes as decahydrate.
Preparation :
(1) It is prepared by the reaction of potassium chloride or hydroxide with concentrated. H2SO4.
2KCl + H2SO4  K2SO4 + 2HCl ; 2KOH + H2SO4  K2SO4 + 2H2O
(2) K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O + 2KCl  2K2SO4 + MgCl2+ 6H2O
Uses : It is used to prepare alumn.
It is a white crystalline solid and soluble in water.
It is used as a fertilizer for tobacco and wheat.
Reactions Charts (Quick Revision) :

Important

Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4)

It occurs in nature as minerals kiesserite (MgSO4.H2O), epsom salt (MgSO4.7H2O)and kainite
(KCl.MgSO4.3H2O).
Preparation :
(1) It is obtained by dissolving kieserite. MgSO4.H2O in boiling water and then crystallising the solution as a
hepta hydrate. i.e. MgSO4.7H2O. It is called as Epsom salt.
(2) It is also obtained by dissolving magnesite in hot dil. H2SO4.
MgCO3 + H2SO4  MgSO4 + H2O + CO2
(3) By dissolving dolomite (CaCO3.MgCO3) in hot dil. H2SO4 and removing the insoluble CaSO4 by
filtration.
CaCO3.MgCO3 (dolomite) + 2H2SO4  MgSO4 + CaSO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O
(4) It is isomorphous with FeSO4.7H2O, ZnSO4.7H2O.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 30

Chemical Properties :
Heating effect :
(1) When heated to 150°C, it changes to monohydrate. On further heating, it becomes anhydrous at
200°C. On strong heating, it decomposes into MgO.
150C 200 C
strong
MgSO4.7H2O MgSO4.H2O   MgSO  MgO + SO + O .
 
4 heating 2 2
(2) Magnesium sulphate when heated with lamp black at 800°C produces SO2 and CO2 gases.
2MgSO4 + C  2MgO + 2SO2 + CO2
(3) It forms double salts with alkali metal sulphates, e.g., K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O.
Calcium Sulphate (Plaster of paris) CaSO4.½H2O
It occurs as anhydrite CaSO4 , hemihydrate CaSO4.½H2O and as the dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O)
gypsum, alabaster or satin-spar.
Preparation :
(1) It is a hemihydrate of calcium sulphate. It is obtained when gypsum, CaSO4·2H2O, is heated to 393 K.
2(CaSO4.2H2O)  2(CaSO4).H2O + 3H2O
Above 393 K, no water of crystallisation is left and anhydrous calcium sulphate, CaSO4 is formed. This
is known as ‘dead burnt plaster’.
It has a remarkable property of setting with water. On mixing with an adequate quantity of water it forms
a plastic mass that gets into a hard solid in 5 to 15 minutes.
(2) It can be prepared by reacting any calcium salt with either sulphuric acid or a soluble sulphate.
CaCl2 + H2SO4  CaSO4 + 2HCl ; CaCl2 + Na2SO4  CaSO4 + 2NaCl
Properties :
It is a white crystalline solid. It is sparingly soluble in water and solubility decreases as temperature
increases.
It dissolves in dilute acids. It also dissolves in ammonium sulphate due to the formation of double
sulphate, (NH4)2SO4.CaSO4.H2O.
Gypsum when heated first changed from monoclinic form to orthorhombic form without loss of water. At
120°C, it loses three-fourth of its water of crystallisation and forms hemihydrate,(2CaSO4.H2O) which is
commonly known as Plaster of Paris. At 200°C, it becomesanhydrous.The anhydrous form is known
as burnt plaster or dead plaster.

Dead plaster has no setting property as it takes up water only very slowly.
A suspension of gypsum when saturated with ammonia and carbon dioxide forms ammonium sulphate,
a nitrogenous fertilizer.
2NH3 + CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O  (NH4)2SO4 + CaCO3
When strongly heated with carbon, it forms calcium sulphide.
CaSO4 + 4C  CaS + 4CO

Uses : For preparing blackboard chalk.

In anhydrous form as drying agent.

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 31

PLASTER OF PARIS (2CaSO4.H2O) (Calcium sulphate hemihydrate)
Preparation :
It is obtained when gypsum, calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O), is heated at 120°C (393 K).
2[CaSO4.2H2O]  2CaSO4.H2O (calcium sulphate hemihydrate) + 3H2O
Gypsum Plaster of Paris
Properties :
Plaster of Paris is a white powder.
It has the property of setting to a hard mass when a paste with water is allowed to stand aside for
sometime. Slight expansion occurs during the setting as water is absorbed to reform CaSO4.2H2O
(gypsum). The setting process is exothermic. The process of setting takes place in stages. In the first
stage, there is conversion of Plaster of Pairs into orthorhombic form of gypsum (setting step) and in the
second stage orthorhombic form changes into monoclinic form (hardening step).

Setting Hardening
2CaSO 4 .H2 O   CaSO 4 .2H2O   CaSO 4 .2H2O
Plaster of Paris H 2O orthor hom bic Monoclinic

The setting of Plaster of Paris may be catalysed by sodium chloride while it is retarded by borax or
alum. Addition of alum to Plaster of Paris makes the setting very hard. The mixture is known as
Keene’s cement.
The names marked with asterisk (*) should be memorized with formulae. Others are given only for
reference. You need not memorize them.

Metal Ore name Formula

Lithium (Li) Spodumene LiAl(SiO3)2
Lepidolite KLi2Al(Al,Si)3O10(F,OH)2
Petalite LiAl(Si2O5)2
Sodium (Na) *Washing soda Na2CO3.10H2O
*Baking soda NaHCO3
*Sodium carbonate (soda ash / Na2CO3
washing soda)
*Sodium chloride (rock salt or NaCl
halite)
*Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter) NaNO3
Salt cake Na2SO4
Fusion mixture Na2CO3 + K2CO3 (eq. molar mix.)
Sodium sesquicarbonate (trona) Na2CO3.NaHCO3.2H2O ( it is a double salt )
*Microcosmic salt Na(NH4)HPO4.4H2O (it is obtained by mixing
solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium
phosphate or chloride)
Soda feldspar or sodium feldspar Na2O. Al2O3. 6SiO2
(albite)
Potash feldspars or orthoclase or K2O. Al2O3.6SiO2
microcline or Potassium feldspars
*Hypo Na2S2O3 . 5H2O
*Sodium aluminium fluoride Na3AlF6
(cryolite)
*Borax (Tincal) Na2B4O7.10H2O
*Sodium sulphate (glauber’s salt) Na2SO4.10H2O
(Sodium sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfuric
acid. When anhydrous, it is a white crystalline
solid of formula Na2SO4 known as the
mineral thenardite; the
decahydrate Na2SO4·10H2O is known
as Glauber's salt)
Sodium aluminium silicate (Soda NaAlSi3O8
Feldspar)

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 32

Potassium (K) Sylvite KCl
Schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O
Kainite MgSO4.KCl.3H2O
*Carnallite MgCl2.KCl.6H2O
*Indian saltpetre (Nitre) KNO3 (used especially as a fertilizer and
explosive)
Pearl ash K2CO3
Schonite K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O( it is a double salt)
Langbeinite K2SO4.2MgSO4
Polyhalite K2SO4.MgSO4.2CaSO4.2H2O
*Potassium Alum K2SO4. Al2(SO4)3. 24H2O
Alunite or Alumstone K2SO4. Al2(SO4)3. 4Al(OH)3
Mica K2O. 3Al2O3. 6SiO2.2H2O
Feldspar KAlSi3O8(K2O.Al2O3.6SiO2)
Beryllium (Be) Beryl 3BeO.Al2O3. 6SiO2
Chrysoberyl BeO.Al2O3
Phenacite BeSiO4
Bromalite BeO
*Baryta Ba(OH)2
Magnesium *Magnesite MgCO3
(Mg)
*Dolomite MgCO3.CaCO3
*Epsom salt MgSO4.7H2O
Kieserite MgSO4.H2O
Asbestos CaMg3(SiO3)4
Talc Mg(Si2O5)2 Mg (OH)2
Brucite Mg(OH)2
*Magnesia MgO
Artinite MgCO3.Mg(OH)2 .3H2O
*Sorel cement (magnesia cement) Mg4Cl2(OH)6(H2O)8
Calcium (Ca) *Quick lime CaO
*Slaked lime Ca(OH)2
*Hydrolith CaH2
*Calcium cynamide CaCN2 OR CaNCN
*Limestone (Marble / Whiting) CaCO3
Anhydrite CaSO4
*Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O
*Fluorspar or Fluorite CaF2
Phosphorite Ca3(PO4)2
*Fluorapatite 3Ca3(PO4)2.CaF2 OR Ca5(PO4)3F
*Plaster of paris CaSO4.½H2O
*Bleaching powder CaOCl2
*Rock phosphate Ca3(PO4)2
Wollastonite CaSiO2
Colmanite 2CaO.3Ba2O3.5H2O

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 33

Strontium(Sr) Strontianite SrCO3
Celestite SrSO4
Barytes or Heavy spar BaSO4

Properties Order
Atomic and Ionic radii Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Density Li < K < Na < Rb < Cs
Ionization Energy Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
Melting Point Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
Boiling Point Li > Na > K > Cs > Rb
Metallic Nature Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
+ + + + +
Ionic size in water Cs < Rb < K < Na < Li
+ + + + +
Mobility of hydrated ions Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Reducing nature Na < K < Rb < Cs < Li
Reducing Nature in gas phase Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs
Reducing Nature in aqueous condition Li > Cs > Rb > K > Na
Thermal stability LiH > NaH > KH > RbH > CsH
Basic strength BeO < MgO < CaO < SrO
Basic Strength or Solubility in water or thermal LiOH < NaOH < KOH < RbOH < CsOH
stability
Basic Strength or Solubility in water Be(OH)2<Mg(OH)2<Ca(OH)2<Ba(OH)2
Thermal stability Be(OH)2<Mg(OH)2<Ca(OH)2<Sr(OH)2< Ba(OH)2
Solubility in water or thermal stability Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3
Solubility in water BaCO3 < CaCO3 < MgCO3 < BeCO3
Thermal stability BeCO3 < MgCO3 < CaCO3 < BaCO3
Solubility in water LiF < NaF < KF < RbF < CsF
Solubility in water or Covalent character LiF < LiCl < LiBr <LiI
Melting Point CaI2 < CaBr2 < CaCl2 < CaF2
Melting Point. NaI < NaBr < NaCl < NaF
Melting Point or Ionic Character BeCl2 < MgCl2 < CaCl2 < SrCl2 < BaCl2
Ionic Character LiBr < NaBr < KBr < RbBr < CsBr
Ionic Character LiF < NaF < KF < RbF < CsF
Solubility in water BaSO4 < SrSO4 < CaSO4 < MgSO4 < BaSO4

JEE(Advanced) s-block Element # 34