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Group 1: Alkali metals Reaction of sodium (Na) and water Reaction of potassium (K) in water. The alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) are the most reactive metals in the periodic table - they all react vigorously or even explosively with cold water, resulting in the displacement of hydrogen.
The most reactive metals, such as sodium, will react with cold water to produce hydrogen and the metal hydroxide: . 2 Na (s) + 2 H 2 O (l) →2 NaOH (aq) + H 2 (g). Metals in the middle of the reactivity series, such as iron, will react with acids such as sulfuric acid (but not water at normal temperatures) to give hydrogen and a metal salt, such as iron(II) sulfate:
Metal aqua ions are often involved in the formation of complexes. The reaction may be written as pM x+ (aq) + qL y− → [M p L q] (px-qy)+ In reality this is a substitution reaction in which one or more water molecules from the first hydration shell of the metal ion are replaced by ligands, L. The complex is described as an inner-sphere complex.
Solvated electrons are involved in the reaction of alkali metals with water, even though the solvated electron has only a fleeting existence. [10] Below pH = 9.6 the hydrated electron reacts with the hydronium ion giving atomic hydrogen, which in turn can react with the hydrated electron giving hydroxide ion and usual molecular hydrogen H 2. [11]
Metals are insoluble in water or organic solvents, unless they undergo a reaction with them. Typically, this is an oxidation reaction that robs the metal atoms of their itinerant electrons, destroying the metallic bonding. However metals are often readily soluble in each other while retaining the metallic character of their bonding.
Lithium oxide (Li 2 O) is the lightest alkali metal oxide and a white solid. It melts at 1570 °C. Sodium oxide (Na 2 O) is a white solid that melts at 1132 °C and decomposes at 1950 °C. It is a component of glass. Potassium oxide (K 2 O) is a pale yellow solid that decomposes at 350 °C.
Reaction with nitrogen. Only Be and Mg form nitrides directly. 3Be + N 2 → Be 3 N 2 3Mg + N 2 → Mg 3 N 2. Reaction with hydrogen. Alkaline earth metals react with hydrogen to generate saline hydride that are unstable in water. Ca + H 2 → CaH 2. Reaction with water. Ca, Sr, and Ba readily react with water to form hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
A single-displacement reaction, also known as single replacement reaction or exchange reaction, is an archaic concept in chemistry. It describes the stoichiometry of some chemical reactions in which one element or ligand is replaced by an atom or group. [1] [2] [3] It can be represented generically as: