1
p -Block Elements
By Mahesh Khedkar
CET-Cell SCN Nanded
 The variation in properties of the p-block
elements due to the influence of d and f
electrons in the inner core of the heavier
elements makes their chemistry interesting.
 In p-block elements the last electron enters
the outermost p orbital. As we Consequently
there are six groups of p-block elements in
the periodic table numbering from 13 to 18.
 Boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine
and helium head the groups. Their valence
shell electronic configuration is ns np
(except for He).
Group 13 Elements: The Boron Family
1. Boron is a typical non-metal, aluminium is a
metal but shows many chemical similarities
to boron, and gallium, indium and thallium
are almost exclusively metallic in character.
2. Boron is a fairly rare element, mainly occurs
as orthoboric acid, (H BO ), borax, Na B O
·10H O, and kernite, Na B O ·4H O.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronic Configuration
The outer electronic configuration of these elements
2 1-6
is ns np . .
Atomic Radii
1. On moving down the group, one extra shell
of electrons is added and, therefore, atomic
radius is expected to increase.
2. However, a deviation can be seen. Atomic
radius of Ga is less than that of Al. This can
 The inner core of the electronic
configuration may, however, differ. The
difference in inner core of elements greatly
influences their physical properties (such as
atomic and ionic radii, ionisation enthalpy,
etc.) as well as chemical properties.
 The maximum oxidation state shown by a p-
block element is equal to the total number of
valence electrons (i.e., the sum of the sand p-
electrons).
3. There are two isotopic forms of boron B
(19%) and B (81%). Aluminium is the most
abundant metal and the third most abundant
element in the earth’s crust. cryolite, Na AlF
are the important minerals of aluminium.
4. Gallium, indium and thallium are less
abundant elements in nature.
be understood from the variation in the inner
core of the electronic configuration.
3. The presence of additional 10 d-electrons
offer only poor screening effect for the outer
electrons from the increased nuclear charge
in gallium. Consequently, the atomic radius
of gallium (135 pm) is less than that of
aluminium (143 pm).
Ionization Enthalpy
1. The ionisation enthalpy values as expected
from the general trends do not decrease
 2

smoothly down the group. The decrease and f electrons ,which have low screening
from B to Al. effect.
2. The observed discontinuity in the ionisation 3. The sum of the first three ionisation
enthalpy values between Al and Ga, and enthalpies for each of the elements is very
between In and Tl are due to inability of d- high.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronegativity
Down the group, electronegativity first decreases from B to Al and then increases,

Physical Properties
1. Boron is non-metallic in nature. 6. It is worthwhile to note that gallium
2. It is extremely hard and black with unusually low melting point
coloured solid. (303K), could exist in liquid state
3. It exists in many allotropic forms. during summer.
4. Due to very strong crystalline lattice, 7. Its high boiling point (2676K) makes
boron has unusually high melting it a useful material for measuring
point. high temperatures. Density of the
5. Rest of the members are soft metals elements increases down the group
with low melting point and high from boron to thallium
electrical conductivity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxidation States
 +1 and +3 oxidation states are observed.
 The relative stability of +1 oxidation state progressively increases for heavier elements:
Al<ga<in<Tl.

Lewis Acid
 In trivalent state, the number of the size down the group. BCl3 easily
electrons around the central atom in accepts a lone pair of electrons from
a molecule of the compounds of ammonia to form BCl3 .NH3 .
these elements (e.g., boron in BF3 )
will be only six. Such electron
deficient molecules(octate rule) have
tendency to accept a pair of electrons
to achieve stable electronic
configuration and thus, behave as
Lewis acids.
 The tendency to behave as Lewis
acid decreases with the increase in
 3

Chemical Properties
(i) Reactivity towards air: Boron is are amphoteric. indium and
unreactive in crystalline form. thallium are basic.
(ii) Amorphous boron and (iv) Reactivity towards halogens:
aluminium metal on heating in These elements react with
air form B2O3 and Al2O3. With halogens to form trihalides
dinitrogen at high temperature (except TlI3).
they form nitrides. 2E(s) + 3 X (g) → 2EX (s)
(iii) Boron trioxide is acidic. (X = F, Cl, Br, I)
Aluminium and gallium oxides
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Trends And Anomalous Properties Of Boron
with Al and other elements, the
Boron shows anomalous properties Due to maximum covalence can be expected
following reasons: more than 4.
1. Small size i.e.88pm  Most of the other metal halides (e.g.,
2. Higher Electronegativity i.e.2.0 AlCl3 ) are dimerised through
3. Higher value of ionization potential halogen bridging (e.g., Al2Cl6). The
metal species completes its octet by
 It is due to the absence of d orbitals accepting electrons from halogen in
that the maximum covalence of B is these halogen bridged molecules.
4. Since the orbitals are available
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Important Compounds Of Boron

Borax
 It is a white crystalline solid of formula Na B O.10H O.
 It contains the tetranuclear units [B O (OH) ] and correct formula; therefore, is
Na [B O (OH) ].8H O. Borax dissolves in water to give an alkaline solution
Na B O + 7H O → 2NaOH + 4H BO
 Orthoboric acid On heating, borax first loses water molecules. On further heating
material known as borax bead.
 4

 The metaborates of many transition metals have characteristic colours and, therefore,
borax bead test can be used to identify radicals in laboratory.
 when borax is heated in a with CoO on a loop of platinum wire,a blue coloured Co(BO )
bead is formed

Orthoboric acid
 Orthoboric acid, H BO is a white which on further heating yields boric
crystalline solid, with soapy touch. oxide, B O .
 It is sparingly soluble in water but
highly soluble in hot water.
 It can be prepared by acidifying an
aqueous solution of borax.
Na B O + 2HCl + 5H O → 2NaCl + 4B(OH)
 It has a layer structure in which
planar BO units are joined by
hydrogen bonds as shown in Boric
acid is a weak monobasic acid.
 It is not a protonic acid but acts as a
Lewis acid by accepting electrons
from a hydroxyl ion: B(OH) +
2HOH → [B(OH) ] + H O
 On heating, orthoboric acid above
370K forms metaboric acid, HBO2

Q.Why is boric acid considered as a weak acid?

Solution
Because it is not able to release H ions on its own. It receives OH ions from water molecule to
complete its octet and in turn releases H ions.

Diborane, B2H6
 The simplest boron hydride known, is
diborane.
 It is prepared by treating boron trifluoride
with LiAlH4 in diethyl ether.
4BF + 3 LiAlH → 2B H + 3LiF + 3AlF
 laboratory method for the preparation of
diborane involves the oxidation of sodium
borohydride with iodine.
2NaBH + I → B H + 2NaI + H
 Diborane catches fire spontaneously upon
exposure to air. It burns in oxygen releasing
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uses Of Boron And Aluminium And Their Compounds
 Boron is hard refractory solid of high
melting point, low density and very
low electrical conductivity.
 Boron fibres are used in making
bullet-proof vest and light composite
material for aircraft.
 The boron-10 ( B) isotope has high
ability to absorb neutrons and,
therefore, metal borides are used in
nuclear industry.
 The application of borax and boric
acid is in the manufacture of heat
5
an enormous amount of energy. B H +3O
→B O +3H O; Δ H =−1976 kJ mol
 Boranes are readily hydrolysed by water to
give boric acid.
B H (g) + 6H O(l) → 2B(OH) (aq) + 6H (g)
 Diborane undergoes cleavage reactions with
Lewis bases(L) to give borane adducts,
B H+ 2 NMe → 2BH .NMe
B H + 2 CO → 2BH .CO
 Reaction of ammonia with diborane gives
initially B2H6.2NH3 which is formulated as
[BH (NH ) ]+ [BH ] ; further heating gives
borazine, B3N3H6 known as “inorganic
benzene” in view of its ring structure with
alternate BH and NH groups.
 The four terminal hydrogen atoms and the
two boron atoms lie in one plane.
 Above and below this plane, there are two
bridging hydrogen atoms. The four terminal
B-H bonds are regular two centre-two
electron bonds while the two bridge (B-H-B)
bonds are three centre-two(3c-2e) electron.
resistant glasses (e.g., Pyrex), glass-
wool and fibreglass.
 Borax is also used as a flux for
soldering metals, for heat, scratch
and stain resistant glazed coating to
earthenwares and as constituent of
medicinal soaps.
 used as a mild antiseptic.
 Aluminium is a bright silvery-white
metal, with high tensile strength.
 It has a high electrical and thermal
conductivity.
 6

 It forms alloys with Cu, Mn, Mg, Si and Zn. Aluminium and its alloys.

Elements: The Carbon Family

 Carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium
(Ge), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are the
members of group 14. Carbon.
 In elemental state it is available as
coal, graphite and diamond, in
combined state it is present as metal
carbonates, hydrocarbons and carbon
dioxide gas in air.
 Naturally occurring carbon contains
two stable isotopes: C and C. In
addition to these, third isotope, C is
also present. It is a radioactive
isotope and used for radiocarbon
dating.
 Silicon is the second (27.7 % by
mass) most abundant element on the
earth’s crust.
 It is present in nature in the form of
silica and silicates. Silicon is a very
important component of ceramics,
glass and cement.Germanium exists
only in traces. Tin occurs mainly as
cassiterite, SnO and lead as galena,
 PbS.Ultrapure form of germanium
and silicon are used to make
transistors and semiconductor
devices

Electronic Configuration
 The valence shell electronic configuration of these elements is ns np .
 Covalent Radius There is a considerable increase in covalent radius from C to Si,
thereafter from Si to Pb a small increase in radius is observed.

Ionization Enthalpy
 The first ionization enthalpy of group 14 members is higher than the corresponding
members of group 13.
 In general the ionisation enthalpy decreases down the group. Small decrease in ΔiH from
Si to Ge to Sn and slight increase in Δ H from Sn to Pb because of poor shielding effect
of intervening d and f orbitals and increase in size of the atom.

Electronegativity
Due to small size, the elements of this group are slightly more electronegative than group 13
elements. The electronegativity values for elements from Si to Pb are almost the same.

Physical Properties
 All group 14 members are solids.
 Carbon and silicon are non-metals, germanium is a metalloid, whereas tin and lead are
soft metals with low melting points. Melting points and boiling points of group 14
elements are much higher than those of corresponding elements of group 13.
 7

Chemical Properties
1. The common oxidation states
exhibited by these elements are +4
and +2.
2. Carbon also exhibits negative
oxidation states.
3. compounds in +4 oxidation state are
generally covalent in nature.
4. In heavier members the tendency to
show +2 oxidation state increases in
the sequence Ge<sn4) is eight.
5. Being electron precise molecules,
they are normally not expected to act
as electron acceptor or electron
donor species.
6. Although carbon cannot exceed its
covalence more than 4, other
elements of the group can do so. It is
because of the presence of d orbital
in them.
7. Due to this, their halides undergo
hydrolysis and have tendency to
form complexes by accepting
electron pairs from donor species.
8. All members when heated in oxygen
form oxides. There are mainly two
types of oxides, i.e., monoxide and
dioxide of formula MO and MO2
respectively.

(ii) Reactivity towards water

 Carbon, silicon and germanium are not affected by water. Tin decomposes steam to form
dioxide and dihydrogen gas

(iii) Reactivity towards halogen

1. These elements can form halides of formula MX and MX (where X = F, Cl, Br, I).
2. Except carbon, all other members react directly with halogen under suitable condition to
make halides.
3. Most of the MX are covalent in nature.
4. The central metal atom in these halides undergoes sp hybridisation and the molecule is
tetrahedral in shape
5. Stability of dihalides increases down the group. Considering the thermal and chemical
stability, GeX4 is more stable than GeX , whereas PbX is more than PbX .
6. Except CCl , other tetrachlorides are easily hydrolysed by water because the central atom
can accommodate the lone pair of electrons from oxygen atom of water molecule in d
orbital.
7. Hydrolysis of SiCl . It undergoes hydrolysis by initially accepting lone pair of electrons
from water molecule in d orbitals of Si, finally leading to the formation of Si(OH)4

Important Trends And Anomalous Behaviour Of Carbon
carbon also differs from rest of the members of its group. It is due to
1. its smaller size,
2. higher electronegativity,
 In carbon, only s and p orbitals are
available for bonding and, therefore,
it can accommodate only four pairs
of electrons around it..
 Carbon also has unique ability to
form pπ-pπ multiple bonds with
itself and with other atoms of small
size and high electronegativity. Few
examples of multiple bonding are:
C=C, C ≡ C, C = O, C = S, and C ≡
N.
 Heavier elements do not form pπ-
pπ bonds because their atomic
orbitals are too large and diffuse to
have effective overlapping.
Bond Bond Enthalpy in Kj/Mol
Allotropes Of Carbon
 Carbon exhibits many allotropic
forms; both crystalline as well as
amorphous.
Diamond
8
3. higher ionisation enthalpy and
4. unavailability of d orbitals.
 Carbon atoms have the tendency to
link with one another through
covalent This property is called
catenation.
 This is because C-C bonds are very
strong. Down the group the size
increases and electronegativity
decreases, and tendency to show
catenation decreases. This can be
clearly seen from bond enthalpies
values. The order of catenation is C
> > Si > Ge ≈ Sn. Lead does not
show catenation.
 Due to property of catenation and
pπ- pπ bond formation, carbon is
able to show allotropic forms.
 Diamond and graphite are two well-
known crystalline forms of carbon.
 third form of carbon known as
fullerenes
 9

1. It has a crystalline lattice.

2. In diamond each carbon atom
undergoes sp hybridization
3. Each carbon linked to four other
carbon atoms in tetrahedral fashion.
4. The C-C bond length is 154 pm.
5. three dimensional network of carbon
atoms and directional covalent bonds
are present.
6. It is very difficult to break covalent
bonding and, therefore, diamond is a
hardest substance on the earth.
7. It is used as an abrasive for
sharpening hard tools, in making
dyes and in the manufacture of
tungsten filaments for electric light
bulbs.
Graphite
1. Graphite has layered structure. 9. For this reason graphite is used as a
2. Layers are held by van der Waals dry lubricant in machines running at
forces and distance between two high temperature.
layers is 340 pm.
3. Each layer is composed of planar
hexagonal rings of carbon atoms.
4. C-C bond lengthmwithin the layer is
141.5 pm.
5. Each carbon undergoes sp
hybridisation and makes three sigma
bonds with three neighbouring
carbon atoms.
6. Fourth electron forms a π bond. The
electrons are delocalised over the
whole sheet.
7. Electrons are mobile and, therefore,
graphite conducts electricity along
the sheet.
8. Graphite cleaves easily between the
layers and, therefore, it is very soft
and slippery.
 10

Fullerenes
1. Fullerenes are made by the heating
of graphite in an electric arc in the
presence helium or argon.
2. Fullerenes are cage like molecules. C
molecule has a shape like soccer ball
and called Buckminsterfullerene
3. It contains twenty six- membered
rings and twelve five membered
rings.
4. A six membered ring is fused with
six or five membered rings but a five
membered ring can only fuse with
six membered rings.
5. All the carbon atoms are equal and
they undergo sp hybridisation.
6. Each carbon atom forms three sigma
bonds with other three carbon atoms.
The remaining electron at each
carbon is delocalised in molecular
orbitals, which in turn give aromatic
character to molecule.
7. This ball shaped molecule has 60
vertices and each one is occupied by
one carbon atom.
8. it also contains both single and
double bonds with C-C distances of
143.5 pm and 138.3 pm respectively.
9. Other forms of elemental carbon like
carbon black, coke, and charcoal are
all impure forms of graphite or
fullerenes.

Uses of Carbon
1. Graphite fibres embedded in plastic material form high strength, lightweight composites.
2. The composites are used in products such as, fishing rods, aircrafts and canoes.
3. Being good conductor, graphite is used for electrodes in batteries and industrial
electrolysis.
4. Carbon black is used as black pigment in black ink and as filler in automobile tyres.
5. Coke is used as a fuel and largely as a reducing agent in metallurgy.

Some Important Compounds Of Carbon And Silicon

Carbon Monoxide
1. Direct oxidation of C in limited H2 thus produced is known as water
supply of oxygen or air yields carbon gas or synthesis gas.
monoxide. The mixture of CO and

2. When air is used instead of steam, a
mixture of CO and N is produced,
which is called producer gas.
3. Water gas and producer gas are very
important industrial fuels. Carbon
monoxide in water gas or producer
gas can undergo further combustion
forming carbon dioxide with the
liberation of heat.
4. Carbon monoxide is a colourless,
odourless and almost water insoluble
gas.
5. It is a powerful reducing agent and
reduces almost all metal oxides other
than those of the alkali and alkaline
earth metals, aluminium and a few
transition metals. This property of
CO is used in the extraction of many
metals from their oxides ores.
Carbon Dioxide
1. It is prepared by complete
combustion of carbon and carbon
containing fuels in excess of air.
2. In the laboratory it is conveniently
prepared by the action of dilute HCl
on calcium carbonate. CaCo (s) +
2HCl(aq) → CaCl (aq) + CO (g) + H
O(l)
3. It is a colourless and odourless gas.
4. Its low solubility in water makes it of
immense biochemical and
geochemical importance. With
water,
5. It forms carbonic acid, H CO which
is a weak dibasic acid and
dissociates in two steps:
11
6. In CO molecule, there are one sigma
and two π bonds between carbon and
oxygen,
7. :C ≡ O: . Because of the presence of
a lone pair on carbon, CO molecule
acts as a donor
8. reacts with certain metals when
heated to form metal carbonyls.
9. The highly poisonous nature of CO
arises because of its ability to form a
complex with haemoglobin, which is
about 300 times more stable than the
oxygen-haemoglobin complex. This
prevents haemoglobin in the red
blood corpuscles from carrying
oxygen round the body and
ultimately resulting in death.
6. H CO /HCO buffer system helps to
maintain pH of blood between 7.26
to 7.42.
7. acidic in nature, it combines with
alkalies to form metal carbonates.
8. plants make food for themselves as
well as for animals and human
beings.
9. it is not poisonous.
10. Carbon dioxide can be obtained as a
solid in the form of dry
11. Dry ice is used as a refrigerant for
ice-cream and frozen food.
12. In CO molecule carbon atom
undergoes sp hybridisation.

Silicon Dioxide, SiO2
1. 95% of the earth’s crust is made up
of silica and silicates. Silicon
dioxide, commonly known as silica,
occurs in several crystallographic
forms.
2. Quartz, cristobalite and tridymite are
some of the crystalline forms of
silica
3. Silicon dioxide is a covalent,
threedimensional network solid.
Silicones
12
4. each silicon atom is covalently
bonded in a tetrahedral manner to
four oxygen atoms.
5. Each oxygen atom in turn covalently
bonded to another silicon atoms as
shown in diagram (Fig )
6. Each corner is shared with another
tetrahedron. The entire crystal may
be considered as giant molecule in
which eight membered rings are
formed with alternate silicon and
oxygen atoms.
7. Silica in its normal form is almost
nonreactive because of very high Si-
O bond enthalpy. It resists the attack
by halogens, dihydrogen and most of
the acids and metals even at elevated
temperatures. However, it is attacked
by HF and NaOH.
SiO + 2NaOH → Na SiO + H O
SiO + 4HF → SiF + 2H O
 13

2. The starting materials for the

manufacture of silicones are alkyl or
aryl substituted silicon chlorides, R
SiCl , where R is alkyl or aryl group.
3. When methyl chloride reacts with
silicon in the presence of copper as a
catalyst at a temperature 573K
various types of methyl substituted
chlorosilane of formula MeSiCl , Me
SiCl , Me SiCl with small amount of
Me Si are formed.
4. Hydrolysis of
dimethyldichlorosilane, (CH ) SiCl
followed by condensation
polymerisation yields straight chain
polymers. The chain length of the
1. They are a group of organosilicon polymer can be controlled by adding
polymers, which have (R SiO) as a (CH ) SiCl which blocks the ends as
repeating unit. shown .
5. Silicones being surrounded by non-polar alkyl groups are water repelling in nature.
6. They have in general high thermal stability, high dielectric strength and resistance to
oxidation and chemicals.
7. They are used as sealant, greases, electrical insulators and for water proofing of fabrics.
Being biocompatible they are also used in surgical and cosmetic plants.

Silicates
2. The basic structural unit of silicates
is SiO in which silicon atom is
bonded to four oxygen atoms in
tetrahedron fashion.
3. In silicates either the discrete unit is
present or a number of such units are
joined together via corners by
sharing 1,2,3 or 4 oxygen atoms per
silicate units.
4. When silicate units are linked
1. A large number of silicates minerals together, they form chain, ring, sheet
exist in nature. Some of the or three-dimensional structures.
examples are feldspar, zeolites, mica
and asbestos.
 14

5. Negative charge on silicate structure
is neutralised by positively charged
metal ions.
6. If all the four corners are shared with
other tetrahedral units, three-
dimensional network is formed.
7. Two important man-made silicates
are glass and cement.

Zeolites
 If aluminium atoms replace few silicon atoms in three-dimensional network of silicon
dioxide, overall structure known as aluminosilicate, acquires a negative charge.
 Cations such as Na , K or Ca balance the negative charge.
 Examples are feldspar and zeolites.
 Zeolites are widely used as a catalyst in petrochemical industries for cracking of
hydrocarbons and isomerisation, e.g., ZSM-5 (A type of zeolite)
 ZSM-5 used to convert alcohols directly into gasoline.
 Hydrated zeolites are used as ion exchangers in softening of “hard” water.

HOMEWORK

-------------------------------*******************------------------------------