SOME IMPORTANT METALS AND THEIR

COMPOUNDS
 Essential Questions

What are the properties of a typical metal?

How do atoms bond in metallic bonding?
Which elements are alkali metals and which are
alkaline earth metals?
What are of some common uses of the transition
elements?
 Review Vocabulary

group: vertical column in the periodic table

 New Vocabulary

metal transition element

malleable
ductile
metallic bonding
radioactive element
 reactivity decrease extraction beco
Metals arranged in decreasing order of reactivity and inverse of ease of
extraction
K
Na
Very reactive. Never found as free element.
Ca Extracted by electrolysis.
Mg
Al
Zn
Moderately reactive. Found as oxides, carbonates or
Fe
sulphides. Extracted by the reduction reaction.
Pb
Cu
Hg
Not very reactive. May be found in nature as the
Ag free element.

Au
 Group I Metals : Sodium and Potassium

 The alkali metals are the members of Group IA in the periodic table.
 The atomic radii increase with increasing atomic number down the group since each
succeeding element has electrons in the next larger shell than those in the previous
element.
 The outermost s-electrons in these metals are held very weakly
by the nucleus. Thus, the outer electrons can drift further from
the nucleus than in most other atoms, and the elements in
Group I have larger atomic radii than those elements which
follow them in their respective periods.
 The large atomic size results in weaker forces between neighbouring atoms since
there is a reduced attraction by the nucleus for the shared mobile outer electrons as
these, electrons get further away.
 Consequently the alkali metals have lower melting points and lower boiling points
than we would normally associate with metals. All the Group IA metals melt below
200°C in contrast to most transition metals that melt above l000°C.
 The reduced interatomic forces in these metals make them relatively soft. All the
Group IA metals can be cut with a knife and they are generally softer than transition
metals.
 The s-block elements have larger atomic radii than transition metals of approximately
the same relative atomic mass. Thus, the s-block elements will be less dense and have
larger molar volumes. The densities of the alkali metals vary from approximately 0.5 g
cm-3 to 2 g cm-3. Most transition metals have a density greater than 7 g cm-3.
 Chemical properties of the alkali metals

 The positions of the alkali metals are high in the electrochemical series. Hence these
metals are very good reducing agents. With the exception of lithium, all alkali metals
react vigorously with water, reducing it to hydrogen.

 M+(aq) + e
M (s) 
1
H2O(l) + e  H2(g) + OH  (aq)
2
 Excepting lithium, which reacts slower than all the other alkali metals, the reactivity
of the elements with water closely follows their positions in the electrochemical
series. For example, sodium reacts vigorously, fizzing and skating about on the water
surface. Potassium reacts even more vigorously producing small cracks and pops as
the hydrogen explodes and burns with a lilac flame.
 The alkali metals are such good reducing agents that they can react with chlorine,
bromine, sulphur, hydrogen and oxygen on heating.
 The alkali metals tarnish rapidly in air, forming a layer of oxide. Lithium, sodium and
potassium are so reactive that they are usually stored under kerosene.
 Sodium and Potassium
Occurrence

 Although far too reactive to be found free these metals occur in nature in immense
quantities in comparatively few compounds.
 They occur chiefly as the chloride, sodium chloride (common salt) and as potassium
chloride (carnallite).
 Other sources of the elements are soda feldspar, Na 2O.Al2O3.6SiO2; sodium carbonate,
Chile salt-petre (sodium nitrate), potassium carbonate and potassium nitrate.
 Extraction of sodium and potassium
 The more common process for the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride to give its
component element is known as "Downs Process".

Downs cell for the electrolytic manufacture of sodium

 The container of the cell B is made of steel, lined with firebrick.
 The anode A is made of graphite and the cathode C is in the form of an iron ring.
 As the melting point of sodium chloride is high (804°C), a small amount of calcium
chloride is added to lower the melting point which is reduced to 600°C.
 The added calcium chloride does not interfere with the electrolysis of sodium
chloride.
 The fused electrolyte D, is placed in the cell.
 On electrolysis, chlorine is liberated at the anode, it escapes through the hood G.
 The sodium, which is liberated at the ring cathode, rises upward through the
electrolyte, is collected by the annular sodium collector H and then passes through
pipe I to the collector J. The chemical reactions involved in this process are as follows :
 The sodium, which is liberated at the ring cathode, rises upward through the
electrolyte, is collected by the annular sodium collector H and then passes through
pipe I to the collector J. The chemical reactions involved in this process are as follows :

reaction at the cathode Na+ + e  Na


reaction at the anode Cl   Cl + e

Cl + Cl  Cl2

 Properties of sodium

Physical properties

 Sodium is a soft metal and may be cut easily with a knife.

 It has a silvery lustre but it rapidly tarnishes in moist air.
 It is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
 Properties of sodium

Chemical properties

 When heated in air, sodium burns readily with a bright yellow flame to form a mixture
of oxide and peroxide.

4Na (s) + O2 (g) 

 2Na2O (s)
sodium monoxide
2Na(s) + O2(g)   Na2O2(s)
sodium peroxide
 Sodium reacts vigorously with water giving hydrogen and sodium hydroxide.

2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) 
 H2(g) + 2NaOH(aq)

 When heated, sodium combines directly with the halogens, phosphorus and sulphur
to form the halides, phosphide and the various polysulphides respectively. When
heated in hydrogen, sodium forms its hydride, NaH.
 When heated at 300 - 400°C in gaseous ammonia, sodium forms sodamide.

2Na(s) + 2NH3(g)  2NaNH2 (s) + H2(g)


 Sodium dissolves in mercury to form sodium amalgam.
 Sodium reacts violently with acids. (Not to be tested)
 Uses of sodium

 Sodium is used in large quantities for the manufacture of sodium peroxide. Na 2O2;

sodium cyanide, NaCN and sodamide, NaNH 2. It is also used in the manufacture of
tetraethyl lead, an anti-knock additive used in petrol.
Extra

Sodium Carbonate (soda ash or trona)

Used in glass container manufacture; in fiber-glass and specialty glass; also
used in production of flat glass; in liquid detergents; in medicine; as a food
additive; photography; cleaning and boiler compounds; pH control of water.
 Compounds of sodium
Oxides
Sodium peroxide Na2O2
 Sodium burns in excess of air or oxygen giving sodium peroxide.
2Na(s) + O2(g)  Na2O2 (s)

Sodium peroxide reacts with cold water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen
peroxide.
Na2O2 (s) +2H2O (1) 
 2NaOH (aq) + H2O2 (aq)

If the water is not cold the following reaction occurs.

2Na2O2(s) + 2H2O(1) 
 4NaOH(aq) + O2(g)

Sodium peroxide combines with carbon monoxide to give sodium carbonate.

Na2O2 (s) + CO (g) 
 Na2CO3 (s)
It also reacts with carbon dioxide in the following manner :
2Na2O2 (s)+2CO2 (g) 
 2Na2CO3 (s) + O2 (g)

Sodium peroxide may, therefore, be employed for removing carbon monoxide and
carbon dioxide from the air in submarines. It is also used in portable breathing
apparatus.
 Compounds of sodium
Sodium oxide (Disodium oxide) Na2O
 When sodium is heated in a limited amount of air or oxygen, sodium oxide is formed.
4Na(s) + O2(g) 
 2Na2O(s)

Since it is difficult to obtain pure sodium oxide in this way, it is more satisfactory to
heat gently sodium peroxide with the appropriate amount of sodium.
Na2O2(s) + 2Na(s)  2Na2O(s)

Sodium oxide reacts violently with water to give sodium hydroxide solution,
Na2O(s) + H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq)

 Sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda) NaOH
 Sodium hydroxide is one of the most important industrial chemicals. On the
commercial scale it is prepared by the electrolysis of a saturated solution of brine.
Chlorine resulting from the electrolysis is evolved at the graphite anode. At the
mercury cathode the sodium ions are discharged where they react with the mercury
to form sodium amalgam. Then the amalgam reacts with water in the receiving tank,
to form sodium hydroxide solution and liberate hydrogen. The reactions involved in
this process are as follows :
2NaCl + 2xHg  2NaHgx + Cl2

sodium
amalgam
2NaHgx + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2 + 2xHg

 Sodium hydroxide is a white deliquescent solid. It is readily soluble in water and much
heat is evolved in this process.
 It is a very strong alkali and attacks the skin. For this reason that it is termed "caustic"
soda.
 Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and reacts with all acids and acidic oxides. For
example,

NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq)  NaCI (aq) + H2O(l)


2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g)  Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(1)

 It precipitates many metallic hydroxides from solutions of metallic salts. Thus,

CuSO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq)  Cu(OH)2(s) + Na2SO4(aq)


FeCl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq)  Fe(OH)2(s) + 2NaCl(aq)


 Hot aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide react with aluminium and with zinc
forming the aluminate or zincate and liberating hydrogen.,
2Al(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 6H2O(1)  2NaAl(OH)4(aq) + 3H2(g)

Zn(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 2H2O(1)  Na2Zn(OH)4 (aq) + H2(g)

 With elements from Group V to VII, sodium hydroxide reacts to give either the
hydride or the sodium derivative of the element, but no hydrogen is evolved. The
following examples illustrate this :
4 P (s) + 3NaOH (aq) + 3H2O(1)
 PH3 (g) + 3NaH2PO2 (aq)
phosphine sodium dihydrogen-
phosphite
4S (s) + 6NaOH (aq) 
 2Na2S (aq) + Na2S2O3 (aq) + 3H2O (1)
sodium
thiosulphate

Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) 
 NaCI (aq) + NaOCl(aq) + H2O(l)
sodium hypo-
chlorite
(in cold solution)

3Cl2(g) + 6NaOH(aq) 
 5NaCl(aq) + NaC1O3(aq) + 3H2O(1)
sodium chlorate
(in hot solution)
 Sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soap. It is also employed in the
paper-making and dyeing industries. Other used include its application for the
refining of petroleum and in the rubber industry.
 Sodium carbonate (Soda ash) Na2CO3
 Sodium carbonate is manufactured by the Solvay process.
 The principle of this process is that sodium hydrogencarbonate is precipitated from a
mixed solution of brine (saturated NaCl solution) and ammonium hydrogencarbonate
saturated with carbon dioxide. On subsequent heating of this sodium
hydrogencarbonate, the normal salt is obtained.
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)  NH4HCO3 (aq)

excess ammonium hydrogencar-
bonate saturated with
carbon dioxide
NH4HCO3(aq) + NaCl(aq)  NaHCO3(s) + NH4C1 (aq)

2NaHCO3(s)  Na2CO3 (S) + H2O (1) + CO2 (g)

 Anhydrous sodium carbonate is a white powder. The salt dissolves in water and forms
a series of hydrates containing one, seven or ten molecules of water of crystallization
respectively. The decahydrate Na2CO3.10H2O is sold as washing soda.
 In contrast to the carbonates of most metals, anhydrous sodium carbonate does not
decompose on heating.
 In aqueous solution it is alkaline since the salt reacts with water to form sodium
hydroxide as follows :
Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)  NaHCO3(aq) + NaOH(aq)


 When a salt reacts with water to form acid or alkali, the salt is said to be hydrolysed.
The process is known as hydrolysis.
 Sodium carbonate reacts with acid to liberate carbon dioxide. For example,

Na2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) 
 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

 Sodium carbonate is used in large quantities for the softening of hard water. It is also
employed in the manufacture of glass and water glass.
 Sodium hydrogencarbonate NaHCO3
 Sodium hydrogencarbonate is obtained as an intermediate in the manufacture of
sodium carbonate (Solvay process). It may be prepared in the laboratory by the
following reactions :
NaOH(aq) + CO2 (g)  NaHCO3 (aq)

Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)  2NaHCO3 (aq)


 If the aqueous solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate is heated decomposition occurs

as follows ;
2NaHCO3 (aq) 
 Na2CO3 (aq) + H2O (1) + CO2 (g)
 Addition of acids to sodium hydrogencarbonate results in liberation of carbon dioxide.

NaHCO3 (s) + HNO3(aq) 

 NaNO3 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

 Sodium hydrogencarbonate is sold as baking soda. It also finds important application

for medicinal purposes, such as the correction of stomach acidity.
 Sodium chloride NaCl
 Sodium chloride occurs in nature as rock salt and it is present in sea water. It is
prepared in the laboratory by neutralizing hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide
solution.
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) 
 NaCl(aq) + H2O(1)

 It is a white crystalline solid. It is fairly soluble in water.

 The most important use for sodium chloride is as an essential part of the human diet.
It is also employed for the seasoning of foods.
 Sodium nitrate NaNO3
 Sodium nitrate mostly occurs in Chile and is known as Chile salt-petre. It may be
prepared in the laboratory by neutralization of sodium hydroxide with nitric acid.
NaOH(aq)+HNO3(aq) 
 NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

 It is a white, crystalline solid, which is very soluble in water.

 It decomposes on strongly heating, forming sodium nitrite and oxygen.

2NaNO3(s)  2NaNO2(s) + O2(g)

 Most other metal nitrates give the metal oxide.

 Sodium nitrate is used as a fertilizer.
 Sodium sulphate Na2SO4
 Sodium sulphate may be prepared by strongly heating sodium chloride with
concentrated sulphuric acid.
2NaCl(s) + H2SO4(conc) 
 Na2SO4(s) + 2HC1 (g)

 The salt crystallizes as the decahydrate, Na2SO4.10 H2O, which is known as

"Glauber's salt". It is used as a purgative in medicine. The anhydrous salt is used in the
manufacture of glass.
 Sodium hydrogensulphate NaHSO4
 Sodium hydrogensulphate is made on a large scale by the Leblance process in which
salt is heated with sulphuric acid.
NaCl(s) + H2SO4(aq) 
 NaHSO4 (aq) + HCl(aq)

 On heating sodium hydrogensulphate it first decomposes with the formation of

sodium pyrosulphate.
2NaHSO4(s)  Na2S2O7(s) + H2O(g)

 On further heating, at red heat, sodium sulphate and sulphur trioxide are formed.
Na2S2O7(s)  Na2SO4(s) + SO3 (g)

 Sodium hydrogensulphate still has acidic property since it contains a replaceable
hydrogen atom.
 Sodium thiosulphate Na2S2O3
 It is made on a large scale from calcium sulphide, CaS. When air is blown through a
suspension of the sulphide in water calcium thiosulphate is formed. This on reaction
with either sodium carbonate or sodium sulphate, produces sodium thiosulphate.
CaS2O3 (aq) + Na2SO4(aq)  CaSO4(s) + Na2S2O3(aq)
CaS2O3 (aq) + Na2SO3(aq)   CaCO3(s) + Na2S2O3(aq)
 Sodium thiosulphate reacts with many salts which are insoluble in water to form
complex salts. For example,
Na2S2O3 (aq) + AgCl(s)  Na [ AgS2O3] (aq) + NaCl (aq)


 This particular reaction is employed in photography.

 Sodium thiosulphate crystallizes as Na 2S2O3.5H2O and it is usually marketed in this
The Alkaline Earth Metals
 The Transition Elements
Many transition elements, such as iron and gold, are familiar
because they are less reactive than the metals in groups 1 and
2 and often occur in nature as uncombined elements.
Transition elements are the elements in groups 3 through 12
in the periodic table. They are called transition elements
because they are considered to be in transition between the
main group elements. The main group elements are groups 1
and 2 and groups 13
through 18. Main
group elements are
sometimes called the

(l)ImagemoreCo., Ltd./Alamy,
(r)Kate Mathis/Getty Images
representative
elements.
 The Inner Transition Elements
The two rows of elements that seem to be disconnected from
the rest of the periodic table are called the inner transition
elements. They are called this because they fit within the
transition metals on the periodic table. The inner transition
elements are located between groups 3 and 4 in periods 6
and 7. To save room, they are usually listed below the table.
The figure below shows what the periodic table would look
like if the inner transition elements were not written below
the table.
 Metals in Earth’s Crust
Earth’s hardened outer layer, called the crust, contains
many compounds and a few uncombined metals such
as gold and copper. Metals that are found in Earth’s
crust are minerals. Minerals are often found in ores,
as shown below. Ores are mixtures of minerals, clay,
and rock that occur naturally in Earth’s crust.

NPS photo by Michael Quinn

Assessment
1. When magnesium and fluorine react, what type of bond
is formed?

A metallic

B ionic CORRECT

C covalent

D diatomic
Assessment
2. What type of bond is found in pure gold?

A metallic CORRECT

B ionic

C covalent

D diatomic
Assessment
3. Because electrons move freely in metals, metals are

A brittle.

B hard.

C dull.

D conductors. CORRECT
Assessment
5. Which elements are least reactive?

A metals

B halogens

C noble gases CORRECT

D actinides