ABSTRACT
The chemistry of the elements of the s block is dominated by their tendency to lose the s electrons and attain a stable, rare gas configuration. (Beryllium is an exception to this, see Section 10.7). This tendency is shown by the low ionization potentials and strongly negative redox potentials. The metals are among the most powerful of chemical reducing
FlG. 10.2 The ionic radii, sum of the first two ionization potentials, and M2+/M redox potentials of the beryllium Group of elements. As in Fig. 10.1 the major changes in properties come between the first and second members. The similarity between Ca, Sr, Ba is clear
agents and combine directly, and usually violently, with most nonmetals to yield ionic compounds. The cations formed by these elements (M+ by the lithium Group, M2+ by Mg and the alkaline earths) are very stable and form salts with the most strongly oxidizing or reducing anions. Caesium is particularly useful to stabilize large anions, as in the formation of the bihalide ions, HX^T, mentioned in Section 9.7.
