The Group 2 Elements 2025-1
The Group 2 Elements 2025-1
beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra)
22.02.2024 Handbook: Inorganic Chemistry - Catherine E. Housecroft And Alan G. Sharpe 2nd edition (Page 275)
Alkaline earth metals
The s-block elements of the Periodic Table are those
in which the last electron enters the outermost s-
orbital. As the s-orbital can accommodate only two
electrons, two groups (1 & 2) belong to the s-block
of the Periodic Table. Group 2 of the Periodic Table
consists of the elements: beryllium, magnesium,
calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. They are
collectively known as the alkaline earth metals. The
name is derived from the observation that they have
such high melting points that they remain solids
(earths) in a fire.
Be stands apart from the other group 2 metals to a greater extent than does Li from its homologues. For
example, whereas Li+ and Na+ salts (with a common counter-ion) usually crystallize with the same lattice
type, this is not true for Be(II) and Mg(II) compounds. Beryllium compounds tend either to be covalent or to
contain the hydrated [Be(H2O)4]2+ ion.
Similar to oxidizing agent and reduction Similar to reducing agent and oxidation
Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022 5
Overview
In 2 group:
The ionization potential
ionization potential
atomic radius
electronegativity
electron affinity
increases with an increase in
the atomic number. Therefore,
the reducing power of the
alkaline earth metals increases
down in the group.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Applications Mg/Al alloys are used in aircraft and automobile body parts and lightweight tools.
Be is one of the lightest metals
known, is nonmagnetic, and
has a high thermal
conductivity and a very high
melting point; these properties,
combined with inertness
towards aerial oxidation,
render it of industrial
importance. It is used in the
manufacture of body parts in
CaO (lime) is used as a component in building mortar. Dry sand and CaO mixtures can
high-speed aircraft and
be stored and transported; on adding water, and as CO2 is absorbed, the mortar sets as
missiles, and in
solid CaCO3.
communication satellites. CaO (s) + H2O (l) → Ca(OH)2 (s)
Ca(OH)2 (s) + CO2 (g) →CaCO3 (s) + H2O (l)
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Physical properties
Beryllium and magnesium are greyish metals, while the remaining group 2 metals are soft and silver-coloured.
The metals are malleable, ductile and quite brittle; in air, the shiny surface of each metal quickly tarnishes.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Physical properties
In the vapour state? M2 molecules?
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Chemical reactivity
Reactivity
Among the most reactive metals and elements. Excellent reducing agents.
The reactivity of alkaline earth metals increases down in the group with an increase in the
atomic radius. When the atomic radium increases the distance between the valence electron
and the nucleus decreases. Thus, the Coulomb (electrostatic) attraction between the nucleus
and the valence electron becomes weaker. As a result, the ionization potential is reduced with
an increase in the atomic number.
Mg
Be Ca
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Chemical reactivity
Oxidation state of alkaline earth metals is always +2
However, Mg amalgam liberates H2 from water, since no coating of oxide forms on its surface; Mg metal reacts with steam or
hot water.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Chemical reactivity
Scheme illustration the chemical properties of alkaline earth metals.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Hydrides – MH2 (M=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
BeH2 is covalent polymeric hydrides.
Hydrides of Ca, Sr and Ba are soluble in water (Ca2+ and H-). They are less
reactive than hydrides of alkali metals. They are strong reducing agents.
The oxides of the other group 2 metals are usually prepared by thermal decomposition of the
corresponding carbonate:
MCO3 (s) → MO (s) + CO2↑ (g)
The oxides of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba are basic oxides. They react with water to form bases,
M(OH)2: CaO + HOH (H2O) → 2Ca(OH)2 (calcium dihydroxide)
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Halides – MX2 (M=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
The fluorides of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) are ionic, have high melting points, and are
sparingly soluble in water, the solubility increasing slightly with increasing cation size (Ksp for
MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 are 7.42x10-11, 1.46 x 10-10, 4.33 x 10-9 and 1.84 x 10-7.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Carbonates – MCO3 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
The carbonates of Mg and the later metals are sparingly soluble in water; their thermal
stabilities increase with cation size. The metal carbonates are much more soluble in an aqueous
solution of CO2 than in water due to the formation of [HCO3]-. However, salts of the type
‘M(HCO3)2’ have not been isolated.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Carbonates – MCO3 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Carbonates – MCO3 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
Hard water
Hard water contains Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions which complex with the stearate ions in soaps,
producing insoluble ‘scum’ in household baths and basins.
Temporary hardness is due to the presence of hydrogencarbonate salts and can be overcome
by boiling or by adding an appropriate amount of Ca(OH)2.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Compounds
Carbonates – MCO3 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba)
Hard water
Permanent hardness is caused by other Mg2+ and Ca2+
salts (e.g. sulfates). The process of water softening involves
passing the hard water through a cation-exchange resin.
Washing-machine detergents contain ‘builders’ that remove
Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions from washing water; polyphosphates
have been used for this purpose, but because phosphates are
damaging to the environment, zeolites are used in
preference.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Biological role
Beryllium and soluble barium compounds are extremely toxic.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Biological role
An important class of macrocyclic ligands are the porphyrins; deprotonation of
the two NH groups of a porphyrin gives a dianionic porphyrinato ligand.
Chlorophylls, the pigments in green plants involved in photosynthesis, are
porphyrinato derivatives containing Mg2+ coordinated within a square planar
array of the four N-donor atoms.
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Biological role
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Biological role
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Biological role
Fluoridated water prevents tooth decay. However, nowadays it’s use is controversial due to side effects.
Because of its more compact crystal structure, the Ksp for fluorapatite (FAP) is lower than the Ksp for hydroxyapatite
(HAP), so its ion product, [Ca2+]10×[PO43–]6×[F–]2, must fall further before demineralization can occur. Lowering
the pH of the fluid surrounding enamel greatly reduces [PO43–] (lowering the ion products of HAP and FAP
equally), but [OH–] falls much more rapidly than [F–], so FAP better resists acid attack.
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Lectures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Romanova, 2022
Biological role
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Recommended
handbook:
II_A_group_collection_video_experiments.docx