PHA6142: Group Properties of Elements

Alkali metals

Do not occur free in nature; very active chemically and displace all other elements from their chemical compounds;

alkali halides

oxides & hydroxides

alkali _ are strongly basic;

Alkali metals

are soluble in water and are not hydrolyzed; univalent, valence +1

form simple cations and do not form complex cations with ammonia

all are rapidly oxidized in air.

Alkali metals

Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Francium (Fr), plus ammonium (NH4+) as the hypothetical/pseudo-alkali metal.

Alkali metals

Activity and alkalinity increase with atomic number (example given: Na-11 and K-19 as OH−, with KOH more alkaline); degree of solvation increases with atomic number (Na is more soluble).

Hydrogen (H₂)

Water-forming when burned with O2; inflammable air; lightest element; element common to all acids (HCl, H2SO4, etc.).

Hydrogen (H₂)

Lane & Messerschmidt process; produces 99% pure xx by conversion of water to xx.

Protium

most abundant isotrope of H₂

Deuterium

heavy hydrogen; D2O/heavy or deuterated water, solvent for NMR

Tritium

radioactive

Hydrogen (H₂)

Haber process (N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3 at high pressures); oil hydrogenation for margarine production; balloon inflation; gas chromatography gas carrier/mobile phases (also helium, the most common GC mobile phase, and nitrogen).

Hydrogen (H₂)

Most abundant element in the universe; second is lithium.

Lithium (Li)

Lithos = earth/rock; lightest metal.

Lithium (Li)

Depressant and diuretic (side effects: hypovolemia and hyponatremia; ↑xx, ↓Na);

mood stabilizer/sedative and drug of choice for manic/bipolar disorder (narrow therapeutic index);

xx bromide has additive sedative effects; xx carbonate is used

Lithium (Li)

Heat exchanger in air conditioners; batteries.

Sodium (Na)

cation of choice for organic medicines; promotes fluid retention; most abundant extracellular cation; excess causes edema.

Sodium (Na)

Natrium = native;

Potassium (K)

most abundant intracellular cation; pharmaceutical uses include diuretic, treatment of hypokalemia, and treatment of muscle paralysis/muscle contractant (also calcium).

Potassium (K)

Kalium (potash);

Rubidium (Rb)

Spectral line: red; discovered/identified in 1861.

Cesium (Cs)

Spectral line: blue; 1860; catalyst in resin polymerization; first element discovered using a spectroscope (Kirchhoff-Bunsen spectroscope).

Francium (Fr)

France; no pharmaceutical use.

Ammonium (NH4+)

Hypothetical/pseudo-alkali metal; commercial preparation by Haber process.

Ammonium (NH4+)

Diuretic; expectorant; buffer component.

Ammonium (NH4+)

Respiratory stimulant; pungent odor; noted as banned already; basic and turns blue litmus.

Household/dilute ammonia solution

Household ammonia: 10% or 16° Baumé NH3; dilute ammonia solution/ammonia water: 9.5–10.5% NH3, used to neutralize insect and jellyfish stings.

Strong ammonia solution/water (Spirit of Hartshorn)

27.31% NH3; detergent, removes stains, extracts certain vegetable coloring agents, and is used in manufacture of ammonium salts.

Aromatic ammonia spirit (Spirit of Sal Volatile)

Composition: strong ammonia solution + ammonium carbonate + volatile oils of nutmeg and lemon + ethanol; used to prevent or treat fainting.

Coinage metals

Occur free or in complexes/chelates and are easily recovered from ore by metallurgy. Degree of malleability and conductivity of heat/electricity: 1st Au (+1,+3), 2nd Ag (+1), 3rd Cu (+1,+2). Mnemonic: competition—Gold, Silver, Bronze.

Coinage metals

Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au).

Copper (Cu)

Cuprum; essential trace element

Only reddish metal.

Copper (Cu)

Component of hemocyanin (respiratory pigment) and cytochrome oxidase with Fe; cytochrome oxidase enhances physiological utilization of iron, so copper acts as a catalyst for iron storage.

Copper (Cu)

Heavy-metal protein precipitant; heavy metals act as astringents, disinfectants, and antibacterials

penicillamine

treatment for Wilson’s Disease

Wilson’s Disease

Toxicity of Copper

Silver (Ag)

oligodynamic property gives germicidal action (ability of certain heavy metals to inhibit microorganism growth in small concentration);

heavy-metal protein precipitant with astringent, disinfectant, and antibacterial effects.

Silver (Ag)

Argentum = shining/bright;

Silver (Ag)

Toxicity: argyria (absorption of xx in skin causes staining)

normal saline solution (NSS).

treatment/antidote for argyria

Lunosol

colloidal AgCl

EDTA

silver proteinates' stabilizer

Collargol

colloidal silver proteinate, 18–22%, general germicide

Argyrol

mild silver proteinate, 19–23%, eye antiseptic

Protargol

strong silver proteinate, 7.5–8.5%, ENT germicide

Gold (Au)

Aurum = shining dawn; king of all metals.

Gold (Au)

Dissolved by aqua regia (HCl + HNO3, 3:1); selenic acid (H2SeO4) is the only single acid that can dissolve xx.

Gold (Au)

DMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis and gout

aurothioglucose

Solganal®, IM

gold sodium thiomalate

Myochrysine®, IM

auranofin

Ridaura®, PO

adverse effect in the main notes: glossitis

Purple of Cassius

Colloidal gold with stannic hydroxide.

Alkaline earth metals

Valence +2; definite metallic properties; strong reducing agents; combine directly with oxygen, halogen, nitrogen, sulfur and hydrogen except magnesium.

Alkaline earth metals

Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), Radium (Ra).

Beryllium (Be)

Most toxic metal; never employed in medicine; associated with fluorescent lamps.

Magnesium (Mg)

Lightest of all structurally important metals;

second most abundant intracellular cation;

component of chlorophyll (photosynthesis), flares/fireworks, and Grignard reagent RMgX.

Grignard reagent (RMgX)

Alkyl magnesium halide; X + formaldehyde → primary alcohol in the reaction described.

Mg sulfate

kieserite, MgSO4·H2O.

Mg carbonates

magnesite and dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2;

Mg silicates

talc asbestos can induce mesothelioma/lung cancer

Magnesium (Mg)

Natural calcium-channel blocker; laxative/cathartic;

calcium + xx gives laxative effect; depressant;

calcium gluconate

Antidote for Magnesium (Mg) toxicity

Calcium (Ca)

Second most abundant cation in extracellular fluid; 98–99% in bones/teeth as hydroxyapatite.

Calcium (Ca)

Apatite: CaF2·Ca3(PO4)2 (double/mixed salt); fluorite: CaF2; phosphate rock: Ca3(PO4)2; dolomite: MgCO3·CaCO3; gypsum: CaSO4·2H2O; plaster of Paris: CaSO4·½H2O.

Calcium (Ca)

Muscle contractant;

blood coagulation factor (prothrombin → thrombin)

required for neurotransmitter release, specifically norepinephrine.

Calcium (Ca)

causes osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, hypocalcemia if deficient

Calcination

CaCO3 + heat → CaO (lime) + O2.

Slaking

CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2 (xx lime suspension). Lime water = saturated solution of Ca(OH)2 in water.

Carbonation

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O; CaCO3 is a white precipitate.

Strontium (Sr)

Called a 'brass yellow metal'; used in flare manufacture; radioactive Sr is used for bone scanning.

Barium (Ba)

Heavy metal; toxicity = bariotosis (pneumoconiosis; inhaled barium lies in lungs for years);

Epsom salt.

Antidote for Barium toxicity (bariotosis)

Radium (Ra)

Discovered by Marie, radioactive; used for cancer radiotherapy and diagnostic purposes.

Volatile metals

Low melting points;

exhibit autocomplexation/form complex ions.

Volatile metals

Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg).

Zinc (Zn)

Immunostimulant

component of CONZACE

component of insulin, batteries, and dry-cell containers.

Zinc (Zn)

Uses similar to Al and Zr: astringent, antiseptic, antiperspirant, protectant.

parakeratosis

Deficiency of Zinc (Zn)

a dermatosis characterized by abnormal keratin maturation.

sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)

antidote for parakeratosis

Cadmium (Cd)

Used in stink-bomb manufacture; high affinity for metallothioproteins/stress proteins; poisoning causes itai-itai/painful bone disease ('ouch-ouch') and osteomalacia (bone softening).

Mercury (Hg)

Derived from Hydrargyrum (hence Hg);

quicksilver, Messenger of God, Asoge (Tagalog).

Mercurous Hg2^2

is diatomic, less toxic and more difficult to absorb

monovalent Hg+

form noted as used in medicine.

is inorganic.

Mercury (Hg)

Toxicity: Hg2+ > Hg2^2+; organic Hg > inorganic Hg. Only liquid metal.

Mercury (Hg)

Applications: thermometers and amalgams/dental cement; thermometers noted as no longer used because electronic thermometers are used.

Amalgam is used when taking the shape of gums for dentures.

Source: cinnabar (Aethrop's Mineral) and mercuric sulfide HgS

Mercury (Hg)

Heavy-metal protein precipitant, antiseptic, treatment of syphilis, parasiticide, fungicide, cathartic, and diuretic useful for cardiac edema.

Minamata disease

Disease associated with Mercury (Hg)

EDTA

Antidote for Minamata disease

Boron group

Boron (B), Aluminum (Al), Gallium (Ga), Indium (In), Thallium (Tl).

Boron (B)

Industrial use: vulcanizing rubber. As a xx, enhances the coefficient of expansion of glass; xx-containing Pyrex glass does not expand and break readily.

Aluminum (Al)

Third most abundant element on Earth and most abundant metal.

Aluminum (Al)

Source listed in main notes: cryolite, 3NaF·AlF3 (sodium aluminum fluoride/double salt of sodium fluoride and aluminum fluoride).

Aluminum (Al)

Astringent, antiperspirant, deodorant (also Zn and Zr), burns (cover to facilitate healing), and styptic/hemostatic agent.

Aluminum salts

are phosphate binders for hyperphosphatemia in dialysis/renal failure.

Gallium (Ga)

Melts near body temperature (30°C); substitute for Hg in arc-lamp manufacture; treats cancer-related hypercalcemia by binding transferrin.

Indium (In)

No pharmaceutical use.

Thallium (Tl)

Green twigs; ant poison/insecticide.

GROUP 3B

No pharmaceutical use noted. Members: Scandium (Sc), Yttrium (Y), Lanthanide series (La–Lu, 57–71), Actinide series (Ac–Ir, 89–103).

Scandium (Sc)

Also known as eka-boron.

Carbon group

Non-metallic to metalloid. Members: Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb).

Carbon (C)

Catenation: ability to form multiple bonds with itself, producing chains/rings; hybridization; allotropy.