2.
All alkali metals on exposure react with air to produce their corresponding
oxide (combination reaction).
•2Li(s) + O2 (g) ® Li2O(s)
•2Na(s) + O2 (g) ® Na2O(s)
–In
general
•2M(s) + O2 (g) ® M2O(s)
–Again, notice that the formula of
the oxide is similar.
3.
All alkali metals react readily with group 7 elements (halogens) to produce
their corresponding halide, compound of group 7 element.
•2Na(s) + Cl2 (g) ® 2NaCl(s)
•2K(s) + Br2 (l) ® 2KBr(s)
–In
general
•2M(s) + X2 (g
or l or s) ® 2MX(s)