Alkali Metals and their Compounds

Group I, the alkali metals The alkali metals, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium, are light metals which are very reactive chemically. Many of their compounds have important uses in industry and in life. The alkali metals and their compounds are discussed in Chapter 9. 

References for Chapter 3.1.1 Alkali Metals and their Compounds... 

Major uses of the alkali metals and their compounds... 

Write a brief account of the uses of the alkali metals and their compounds, with reference to relevant industrial... 

ZIRCAT (7440-67-7) Finely divided material is spontaneously flammable in air may ignite and continue to bum under water. Violent reactions with oxidizers, alkali hydroxides, alkali metals (and their compounds), carbon tetrachloride, cupric oxide, lead, lead oxide, lead peroxide (combined material can burn explosively, and is sensitive to friction and static electricity), nitryl fluoride, oxygen difluoride, phosphoms, potassium, potassium compounds (potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate), sodium borate, sodium hydroxide. Explodes if mixed with hydrated borax when heated. Contact with lithium chromate may cause explosion above 752°F/450°C. Forms explosive mixture with potassium chlorate. Dusts of zirconium ignite and explode in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Contact with ammonium-V-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine above 104°F/40°C forms an explosive material. Incompatible with boron, carbon, nitrogen, halogens, lead, platinum, potassium nitrate. In case of fire, use approved Class D extinguishers or smothering quantities of dry sand, crushed limestone, clay. 

Other practical applications of the alkali metals and their compounds include sodium and potassium in living systems, lithium as treatment for bipolar disorder (manic depression), elemental sodium and lithium as reducing agents, lithium in a new generation of batteries, cesium in photoelectric devices, potassium-argon dating, and lithium as a source of tritium to fuel the hydrogen economy. 

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