Alkali metals chemical reactivity

As we move down the family of alkali metals on the periodic table, metal chemical reactivity increases. This increase in reactivity corresponds to an increase in atomic size. As atomic size increases, the outermost electrons are farther from the atomic nucleus. The positively charged protons in the atomic nucleus are trying to attract the negatively charged outermost electrons, but attractive force decreases as distance increases. This is analogous to a mother trying to keep her children home while the children, as they become more energetic, wander farther away and often eventually leave home. A child can leave home more easily when already distanced from home. Therefore, cesium (Cs), in which the outermost electron is far from the positive nucleus and can easily leave home, is much more chemically reactive than lithium (Li), in which the outermost electron is close to home, the nucleus. 

Chemically, carbon dioxide is not very reactive, and it is often used as an inactive gas to replace air when the latter might interact with a substance, for example in the preparation of chromium II) salts (p. 383). Very reactive metals, for example the alkali metals and magnesium can, however, continue to bum in carbon dioxide if heated sufficiently, for example... 

Sodium [7440-23-5] Na, an alkali metal, is the second element of Group 1 (lA) of the Periodic Table, atomic wt 22.9898. The chemical symbol is derived from the Latin natrium. Commercial iaterest ia the metal derives from its high chemical reactivity, low melting poiat, high boiling poiat, good thermal and electrical conductivity, and high value ia use. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water No reaction Reactivity with Common Materials Attacks copper and copper alloys these metals should not be used. Penetrates leather, so contaminated leather shoes and gloves should be destroyed. Attacks aluminum in high concentrations Stability During Transport Stable Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Not pertinent Polymerization May occur spontaneously in absence of oxygen or on exposure to visible light or excessive heat, violently in the presence of alkali. Pure ACN is subject to polymerization with rapid pressure development. The commercial product is inhibited and not subject to this reaction Inhibitor of Polymerization Methylhydroquinone (35 - 45 ppm). 

The alkali metals form a homogeneous group of extremely reactive elements which illustrate well the similarities and trends to be expected from the periodic classification, as discussed in Chapter 2. Their physical and chemical properties are readily interpreted in terms of their simple electronic configuration, ns, and for this reason they have been extensively studied by the full range of experimental and theoretical techniques. Compounds of sodium and potassium have been known from ancient times and both elements are essential for animal life. They are also major items of trade, commerce and chemical industry. Lithium was first recognized as a separate element at the beginning of the nineteenth eentury but did not assume major industrial importance until about 40 y ago. Rubidium and caesium are of considerable academic interest but so far have few industrial applications. Francium, the elusive element 87, has only fleeting existence in nature due to its very short radioactive half-life, and this delayed its discovery until 1939. 

The alkali metals are exact opposites of the inert gases in chemical reactivity. These metals react... 

The alkali metals are the most violently reactive of all the metals. They are too easily oxidized to be found in the free state in nature and cannot be extracted from their compounds by ordinary chemical reducing agents. The pure metals are obtained by electrolysis of their molten salts, as in the electrolytic Downs process (Section 12.13) or, in the case of potassium, by exposing molten potassium chloride to sodium vapor ... 

The range of chemical reactivity of metals is wide, from the inertness of the platinum group to the extreme reactivity of some alkali metals. The order of metal reactivity follows essentially the order of the electrochemical series which is shown in Table 17.4 for the metals commonly deposited by CVD. 

Depending on the extraction method and the source of Rb and Cs, the elements are obtained in industry as chlorides, nitrates and carbonates. Methods of preparing and purifying all of the alkali metals are described with examples. Methods for Rb and Cs are governed by the relative ease of reduction of their compounds, the volatility of the extracted metal and the extreme chemical reactivity of these heavier alkali metals toward air and moisture. 

In addition to having similar electron configurations, some blocks have common chemical characteristics, too. The block of elements on the far left of the illustration, for example, are all metals. The two groups in the block are called the alkali metals (first column) and alkaline earth metals (second column). The alkali metals are remarkably similar soft, silvery, highly reactive metals. The alkaline earth metals form another distinctive group that are much harder that the alkaline metals and have higher melting points. 

Since much of the impetus for our STM studies stems from earlier spectroscopic investigations of alkali metals and alkali metal-modified surfaces,6 we consider first what was learnt from the caesiated Cu(l 10) surface concerning the role of different oxygen states, transient and final states, in the oxidation of carbon monoxide, and then examine how structural information from STM can relate to the chemical reactivity of the modified Cu(110) surface. 

A first group of hydrides (ionic hydrides) is formed with the more electropositive elements of the 5-block of the Periodic Table. This group of hydrides includes the salt-like MeH (Me+H ) NaCl-type compounds of the alkali metals and the di-hydrides (Co2Si-type) formed by the divalent metals Ca, Sr, Ba and also by Eu and Yb. The thermal stability of these hydrides decreases from Li to Cs and from Ca to Ba the chemical reactivity on the contrary increases from Li to Cs and from Ca to Ba. While the reaction of NaH with water is very violent, the reaction of LiH or CaH2 can be used for a portable source of hydrogen. 

The alkali metals remarks about their general chemical properties and reactivity... 

All the alkali metals are extremely reactive chemically. Both for safety reasons and for protection from heavy contamination they should be handled with care, under an inert atmosphere or protective media. 

Because its outet valence electrons ate at a gteatet distance from its nuclei, potassium is more reactive than sodium or lithium. Even so, potassium and sodium are very similar in their chemical reactions. Due to potassiums high reactivity, it combines with many elements, particularly nonmetals. Like the other alkali metals in group 1, potassium is highly alkaline (caustic) with a relatively high pH value. When given the flame test, it produces a violet color. 

Chemicals that are water or air reactive pose a significant fire hazard because they may generate large amounts of heat. These materials may be pyrophoric, that is, they ignite spontaneously on exposure to air. They may also react violently with water and certain other chemicals. Water-reactive chemicals include anhydrides, carbides, hydrides, and alkali metals (e.g., lithium, sodium, potassium). 

---