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Water-reactive substances [1] are those that spontaneously undergo a chemical reaction with water, often noted as generating flammable gas. [2] Some are highly reducing in nature. [ 3 ] Notable examples include alkali metals , lithium through caesium , and alkaline earth metals , magnesium through barium .
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:
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.
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.
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.
The alkali metals also react with water to form strongly alkaline hydroxides and thus should be handled with great care. The heavier alkali metals react more vigorously than the lighter ones; for example, when dropped into water, caesium produces a larger explosion than potassium if the same number of moles of each metal is used.
Classically, "water of crystallization" refers to water that is found in the crystalline framework of a metal complex or a salt, which is not directly bonded to the metal cation. Upon crystallization from water, or water-containing solvents , many compounds incorporate water molecules in their crystalline frameworks.
Explosive reaction of sodium in water, shattering the glass vessel. The reaction can be extremely violent with alkali metals as the hydrogen gas catches fire. [2] Metals like gold and silver, which are below hydrogen in the reactivity series, do not react with water.