p-Block Elements

(Part-1)
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 p-Block Elements (Part-1)

GROUP 13 ELEMENTS
Ionisation Energy Concept Ladder
The first ionisation energies (IE1) of group
13 elements (Boron family) are lower than the
Stability of +3 oxidation
corresponding elements of group 2 (AEM). This
state : B > Al > Ga > In > Tl
is due to the electronic configuration of group 13
Stability of +1 oxidation
elements ns2 np1 and the electron thus has to be
state : Ga < In < Tl
removed from the p-orbital which is much easier
Ionisation energy : B > Al <
than removing an s-electron of AEM elements,
Ga > In < Tl
which is more strongly atracted by the nucleus.
Boron has higher ionisation energy than its group
members because its is considerable smaller.
The ionization energy is so high that boron is
always covalent.

Oxidation State
Due to ns2, np1 configuration of the valence
Rack your Brain
shell, group 13 elements are expected to be
trivalent but there is increase in ability to form
Why boron has high melting and
univalent compounds on moving down the group.
boiling point?
The oxidation state of B and Al is +3 while Ga, In,
Tl show oxidation state of both +3 and +1. It is
due to Inert Pair Effect.

Metallic Character/Reducing Power

The order is : B < Al > Ga > In > Tl
The increase in metallic character from
Boron to Aluminium due to increase in atomic
size but Ga, In, Tl do not follow the trend. They
follow immediately after a row of ten transition
elements and thus have 10 d-electrons which Previous Year’s Questions
are less efficient for shielding the nuclear charge
than s,p electrons. Thus outer most electrons The correct order of atomic radii
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

being more firmly held by the nucleus are more in group 13 elements is
difficult to remove than expected. This leads to [NEET 2018]
decrease in size as well as decreases in metallic (1) B < Al < In < Ga < Tl
character than would be expected. This (2) B < Al < Ga < In < Tl
phenonmenon is know as d-block Contraction. (3) B < Ga < Al < Tl < In
(4) B < Ga < Al < In < Tl

1.
 Similarly for Tl which is followed immediately
after 14-f-block elements, there is much change Concept Ladder
in the size and metallic character of it. It is due
to the Lanthanide Contraction which is due to
The electropositive or
the f-block elements. Note that in general the
metallic character of group
size increases down the group but is less than
13 elements increases
as expected.
from B to Tl. B being a non
metal and thus forms an
Acidic Character
acidic hydroxide. Al forms
From B to Tl acidic character decreases and basic
amphoteric hydroxide and
character increases because ionization energy
Tl, the most metallic from
increases. Thus we find that B(OH)3 , and B2O3 are
basic hydroxides.
acidic ; Al(OH)3 and Al2O3 are amphoteric; Ga(OH)3
and Ga2O3 are amphoteric; and In(OH)3 , TI(OH)3
are basic.

Rack your Brain

Boron & Its Compound Which elements of group 13 will

Physical Properties and Occurrence form most ionic and covalent
Boron occurs in two allotropic form : compounds respectively?
(a) Crystalline – It is chemically inert, very hard
and black in color.
(b) Amorphous – It is chemically active, a
non–conductor, difficiult to fuse and brown in
color.
All allotropic forms contain icosahedral
unit with atoms at all 12 corners. The important
minerals of boron are :
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Borax (Tincal) Na2B4O2.10H2O Boric acid H3BO3

Kernite (Resorite) Na2B4O7.4H2O Boronatro calcite CaB4O7.NaBO2.8H2O
Colemanite Ca2B6O11.5H2O Boracite 2Mg3B8O15.MgCl2
Pandertie Ca2B6O11.3H2O

2.
3.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)
 Extraction of Boron : It includes 2 steps :
1. Preparation of Boric anhydride (B2O3) : Rack your Brain

[Method–I] If Borax can be formulated

as Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O then
Na 2B4O7  2 HCl 
 2 NaCl  H2B4O7 how would you formulate
powdered Borax  conc. Colemanite?
H2B4O7  5 H2O 
 4 H3BO3
 sparingly soluble orthoboric acid

2 H3BO3 
 B2O3  H2O

[Method–II]
Ca 2B6O11  2 Na 2CO3 
 2 CaCO3  Na 2B4O7  2 NaBO2
 powdered  fuses
 colemanite 
 

The fused mass is extracted with. CaCO3

remains filtrate and insoluble containing sodium
metaborate. By obtained borax crystals, borax is Concept Ladder
put to crystallisation. The remaining solution is
treated with CO2.
On a large scale, boron
4 NaBO2  CO2 
 Na 2B4O7  Na 2CO3 is extracted from its
Borax
minerals, borax Na2B4O7
and colemanite Ca2B6O11.
Then Method I is followed. The latter is first converted
to borax by boiling with
a solution of sodium
[Method III] carbonate in the requisite
Suspension of colemanite mineral in H2O is proportion and then the
formed and SO2 gas is passed to obtain crystal of same method is followed.
boric acid on cooling.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Then, 2 H BO 

 B2O3  3 H2O
3 3
crystals

4.
2. Reduction B2O3

[Method–I]

B2O3  3 M 
 crucible
heated in
 2 B  3 MO M  Na, K or Mg 
fused

To oxidise unreacted metal M, the fused

mass is stirred with iron rod. The mass is then
boiled with dil. HCl to obtain insoluble amorphous
boron powder with is 95% pure.

Rack your Brain

[Method–II] : Modern Method
A fused mixture containing magnesium What acts as a reducig agent
fluroide, boric anhydride and magnesium oxide during the reduction of boron?
at 1100°C is electrolysed in a carbon crucible
(anode). Iron rod is used as cathod.

[Method–III]
To obtain crystalline boron in small amounts, Concept Ladder
B2O3 is redused with aluminium powder.
Boron generally forms
B2O3  2 Al 
 2 B  Al 2O3 covalent bonds rather
than +3 ions. This is due
Removal of Aluminium is made by heating to the small size of boron
the fused mass with NaOH solution. which makes the sum of
its first three ionization
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Chemical Properties of Boron enthalpies very high. Boron

1. B is unaffected by H2O under ordinary is generally unreactive
conditions but : when comes in contact
with acids and alkalis at
2 B  3 H2O 
 B2O3  3 H2  moderate temperatures.
red hot   Steam

5.
 2. Amorphous boron burns in air at 700°C with
a reddish flame forming oxide and nitride. Concept Ladder

4 B  3 O2 
 2 B2O3
Boron is added to glass to
2 B  N2 
 2 BN
increase its resistance to
heat shock. Most chemistry
3. Boron is unaffected by reducing acids. With
glassware is made from
oxidising acids it gives boric acid.
borosilicate glass.
B  3 HNO3 
 H3BO3  3 NO2 
O. A .

4. Boron dissolves is fused alkalies liberating

hydrogen.

2 B  6 NaOH 
 2 Na 3BO3  H2 
fused

5. Generally, boron forms Non-Stoichiometric

Previous Year’s Questions
compounds with metals (not of Group 1)

2 B  3 Mg 
 Mg 3B2 Which one of the following
6. Action of non-metals : elements is unable to form MF63–
ion?
4 B  C  
 B4C [NEET 2018]
electric furnance
 (1) Ga (2) Al
2 B  3 Cl 2  2 BCl 3
(3) B (4) In
Uses : Boron carbide rods are used to control
nuclear reactions. Boron has a very high cross-
section for capturing the neutorns. Also to make
boron of having an even number of neutrons B
absorbs neutrons.

5
B10  0n1 
 5B11

[a] Diborance B2H6 :

Structure and Physical Properties : Concept Ladder
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

In diborane the bridge hydrogens form

abnormal 3 centre 2 electron ‘banana-shaped’
bonds with two B atoms. Boron forms hydrides of
For having delocalized molecular orbital the type BnHn+4 and BnHn+6
covering all three nuclei, an sp3 hybrid orbital which are called Boranes.
from each boron atom overlaps with 1s orbital of
hydrogen.

6.
 Diborane is a highly reactive and colorless gas Rack your Brain
with disagreeable odour. It is used as a catalyst
in polymerization reactions and a reducing agent Why boranes are electron
in organic reactions. deficient compounds?
Preparation :
(i)
4 BCl 3  3 LiAlH4 
ether
 2 B2H6  3 LiCl  3 AlCl 3
4 BCl 3  3 LiAlH4  H2 
siilent electric discharge
 B2H6  HCl

(ii) 8 BF  6 LiH 

 B2H6  6 LiBF4
3

Chemical Properties :
1. It is instantly hydrolysed by aqueous alkali
or water.

B2H6  6 H2O 

 2 H3BO3  3 H2
B2H6  2 KOH  2 H2O 
 2 KBO2  6 H2

2. It catches fire spontaneously in air and Previous Year’s Questions

explodes with dioxygen.

B2H6  3 O2 
 B2O3  3 H2O The tendency of BF3, BCl3 and
BBr3 to behave as Lewis acid
Thus in the laboratory, diborane is handled decreases in the sequence
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

in a vacuum frame. [AIPMT 2010]

3. red heat
B2H6 
 2 B  3 H2 (1) BCl3 > BF3 > BBr3
(2) BBr3 > BCl3 > BF3
4. Other reactions : (3) BBr3 > BF3 > BCl3
(4) BF3 > BCl3 > BBr3
B2H6  2 LiH 
ether
 2 LiB4
B2H6  3 Cl 2 
 2 BCl 3  6 HCl
B2H6  HCl 
anhyd
AlCl
 B2H5Cl  H2
dry 3
Chlorodiborane
7.
 5. Reaction with ammonia and amines :

Borazole is called ‘inorganic benzene’ due to

its similar structure and aromatic character.
Boron nitride is a white slippery solid called
‘Inorganic Graphite’ which has a layer structure Rack your Brain
similar to graphite.
What is a dissimilarity between
[b] Orthoboric Acid H3BO3 : Borazine and Benzene?
Structure and Physical Properties :
Orthoboric acid is a Lewis acid and better
written as B(OH)3. It is a weak monobasic acid,
sparigly soluble in water.

B(OH)3 alone is not titrated with sodium

Concept Ladder
hydroxyde as a sharp end point is not obtained.
However if a cis-diol is added then B(OH)3 behaves
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Boric acid is a very weak

as a strong monobasic acid and can be titrated
monobasic acid. It does
with NaOH using phenolphthalein as indicator
not act as a proton donor
cis-diols form stable complexes with [B(OH)4]–­
but accepts a hydroxyl ion
thus effectively removing them and carrying the
i.e., it behaves as a lewis
reaction forward. acid.

8.
Chemical Properties :
1. Effect of heat
100C 160C red heat
H3BO3   HBO2   H2B4O7 
 B2O3
orthoboric Metaboric boron
acid acid sesquioxide

Thus, B2O3 is also called boric anhydride as it

is the anhydride of boric acid.
2.

H3BO3  3 CH3OH  B  OCH3   3 H2O
3
methyl
borate

H2O is removed by conc. H2SO4 and the Rack your Brain

mixture boruns with green flame. This is
used as a test for boron compounds. What is the hybridisation of B in
3. Broic acid dissovles in HF(aq) to give boric acid?
fluoroboric acid HBF4 which is a strong acid.
In dry HF borates give BF3 which burns with
a green colour.

Uses:
Boric acid is used as an antisptic and in
glass industry and eyewash under the name
‘Boric Lotion’.

[c] Borax :
Structure : Concept Ladder
Borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O) is better written as
Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O having 8 water molecules Boric acid loses water
and the ion [B4O5(OH)4]2– associated with Na+ . in three different stages
ultimately giving boron
Chemical Properties : trioxide.
1. When borax dissolves in H2O equal amounts
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

of weak acid and its salt are formed. Thus it

is used as a buffer.

B O  OH   5 H2O  2 B  OH  2 B  OH 

2 

 4 5 4 3  4

9.
 2. Borax will reacts with 2 moles of acid
because only [B(OH)4]– formed will react
with H+.

2 B  OH   2 H3O   2 B  OH  4 H2O



 4 3

or Na 2B4O7  2 HCl  5 H2O  4 H3BO3  2 NaCl

Methyl oranges are used as the indicator, it Rack your Brain

is unffected by the H3BO3 formed.
What property of Borax makes it
3. Borax Bead Test : suitalbe for behaving like water
Metaborates [M(BO2)]of many transition softner and cleaning agent?
elements have characteristic colours and
this provides a means of identifying the
metal through this test.
 
Na 2B4O7 .10H2O  Na 2B4O7  NaBO2  B2O3
(glassy bead)

Uses :
(i) In analytical chemistry it is used in Borax
Bead Test.
(ii) Used as flame retardant for wood and fabric. Concept Ladder
(iii) Used in glass industry.
(iv) Used as a flux in silver soldering and brazing/
When borax is heated
above its melting point
Aluminium :
until all the water of
crystallization is expelled,
1. Thermodynamically Al should react with H2O
it forms a colourless glassy
and air, but in fact it is stable in both. As very
substance known as borax
thin oxide film of Al2O3 is formed on surface
glass. It then decomposes
and protects it. Due to this resistance to
to give sodium meta borate
high thermal conductivity and corrosion it is
and boron (III) oxide. When
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

used in making domestic utensils.

this mixture is fused with
2. Reduction of some metal oxides like Mn3O4
metallic oxide it forms
and Cr2O3 require temperature high enough
characteristic coloured
for carbon to be used as a reducing agent. beads. With the help of the
Thus Al, a highly electropositive metal which colour, the metal ions can
be identified.

10.
 on oxidation liberates a large amount of
energy to Al2O3, which is used as the reducing
agent. This is know as thermite process. The
thermite reaction is :
3
2 Al  s   O  g  
 Al 2O3  s   energy H  1670 kJ
2 2
3. Aluminium metal is moderately soft but
lighter and much stronger when alloyed with
metals. Some alloys of Aluminium are :

Alloys Composition Uses

In construction of
Magnalium Al – 95%, Mg – 5%
airships, balances.
In areoplanes and
Duralumin Al – 95%, Cu – 4%, Mg – 0.5%, Mn – 0.5%
automobile parts
Aluminium To make utensils, cheap
Cu – 90%, Al – 9.5%, Sn – 0.5%
bronze artificial jewellery.
To make permanent
Alnico Steel – 77%, Al – 20%, Ni – 2%, Co – 1%
magnet.

4. Al is amphoteric hence dissolves in both acid

and bases.

 2 Al 3  6 Cl   3 H2
2 Al  6 HCl 
 2 Na Al  OH  or 2 NaAlO2 .2 H2O 3 H2
2 Al  2 NaOH  6 H2O 
 4
Sodium aluminat

However, conc. HNO3 renders it passive due to

the formation of a protective oxide layer. Previous Year’s Questions

[a] Aluminium Oxide Al2O3 (Alumina) :

p-Block Elements (Part-1)

AlF3 is soluble in HF only in

Alumina is a white crystalline powder, presence of KF. It is due to the
insoluble in water. It is quite unreactive, stable formation of
and amphoteric in nature. The a–from of Al2O3 [NEET (II) 2016]
called corundum and found as mineral in nature. (1) K3[AlF3H3] (2) K3[AlF6]
(3) AlH3 (4) K[AlF3H]

11.
 [b] Aluminium Trichloride AlCl3 :
AlCl3 exists as a dimer, thus attaining an Concept Ladder
octet of electrons. It is largely covalent when
reacts with a non-polar solvent such as C6H6.
Aluminium chloride is
mainly produced using
an exothermic reaction
of two elements namely
aluminium and chlorine.
However, when dissolved in H2O, the high
enthalpy of hydration is sufficient to break the
covalent dimer into [Al.(H2O)6]3+ and 3Cl– ions. At
low temperature, AlCl3 exists as a close packed
lattice of Cl– with Al3+ occupying octahedral holes.
Crystalline AlCl3 exist as AlCl3.6H2O. On
heating it cannot give anhydrous salt just like Rack your Brain
MgCl2.6H2O (diagnol relationship). Instead it
undergoes hydrolysis on heating : AlCl3 — Lewis acid or base?

2 AlCl 3 .6H2O  2 Al  OH  6 HCl  6 H2O
3

2 Al  OH 

 Al 2O3  3 H2O
3

The anhydrous compound is prepared

by action of dry chlorine gas on aluminium or
alumina :

Al  Cl 2 
 AlCl 3 Concept Ladder
Al 2O3  C  Cl 2 
 AlCl 3  CO
AlCl3 in solid-state features
as a cubic close-packed
layered structure. In this
case, it will be octahedral.
When aluminium chloride
is in a liquid or molten state
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

it exists as a dimer. Here its

coordination geometry will
be tetrahedral. At higher
temperatures, the dimers
dissociate into trigonal
planar.

12.
GROUP 14 ELEMENTS
Metallic Character Concept Ladder
On moving down the group metallic
character decreases. C and Si are non metals, Ge Reactivity : C < Si < Ge <
is a metalloid and Sn and Pb are metals. Sn < Pb
Metallic character : C < Si <
Oxidation State Ge < Sn < Pb
Oxidation state of C and Si is +4 while for Ge,
Sn, Pb it has value of both +4 and +2 by Inert Pair
Effect.

Catenation
C has the property of linking to other carbon
atoms forming long chains due to its smaller size
and higher electron negativity. However on moving Previous Year’s Questions
down the group the tendency for catenation
decreases in the order : Which of the following does not
C >> Si > Ge ~ Sn >> Pb. show electrical conduction?
[AIPMT]
Carbon and its Compounds (1) Diamond (2) Graphite
Allotropy (3) Potassium (4) Sodium
Carbon exists in a large number of allotropic
forms. Two main form are diamond and graphite.

Diamond Graphite

Extremely unreactive, colourless, non

conductor and shows brilliant shine due to Quite reactive and soft.
total internal reflection.
It has a structure with layers held
together by weak van der waal’s
forces. Each sheet consists of
The structure comprises of sp3 hybrid
hybridised carbon atoms that are
C atoms forming s-bonds and arranged
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

covalently bonded to three carbon

tetrahedrally.
atoms by s-bonds. The fourth e– is in
unhybridised ‘p’ orbital and forms a
partial p-bond.

13.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

14.
Chemical Properties :
1. Water gas is made by blow of air through Concept Ladder
white or red hot coke :
red heat
C  H2O 
 H2  CO Diamond has a three
 
water gas dimensional polymeric
structure involving very
strong covalent bonds by
2. All allotropes burn in oxygen to form CO2.
which the atoms are held
C  O2 
 CO2 together. Hence diamond
possesses high melting
Producer gas is made by blow of air through
point inspite of its covalent
red hot coke.
nature.
C
C  O2  4 N2 
 CO2  4 N2   CO  N2

red hot  
air producer gas

3. Carbon as reducing agent :


C  2 H2SO4  CO2  SO2  H2O Rack your Brain
(R . A)
conc.

C  4 HNO3 
 CO2  4 NO2  2 H2O Carbon monoxide — A good
C  HNO3 
 Artificial Tannin (brown) reducing or oxidising agent?
dil ., hot

4. Carbon as Oxygen acceptor :

3 C  Fe2O3 
 2 Fe  3 CO
2 C  SiO2 
 SiC  2 CO Previous Year’s Questions
Carborundum
2000C
6 C  2 Al 2O3  Al 4C3  6 CO
It is because of inability of ns2
electrons of the valence shell to
Preparation of CO : participate in bonding that
(i) In laboratory it is prepared by dehydrating [NEET 2017]
forming acid with concentrated H2SO4 (1) Sn2+ is oxidising while Pb4+ is
reducing
H SO
HCOOH   CO  H2O
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

(2) Sn2+ and Pb2+ are both

2 4
conc.
oxidising and reducing
Also,
(3) Sn4+ is reducing while Pb4+ is
COOH 2

2 4 conc. H SO
 CO  CO2  H2O oxidising
(4) Sn2+ is reducing while Pb4+ is
CO2 is removed by passing through soda
oxidising
2 KOH  CO2 
 K2CO3  H2O

15.
 (ii) C  oxides of heavy metal 
 CO   metal
ZnO, Fe O , ......
2 3

(iii)
K4 Fe  CN   6 H2SO4  6 H2O 

 2 K2SO4  2 FSO4  3 NH4  SO4  6 CO 
 6
conc.
2
Potassium
Ferrocyanide

Preparation of CO2 :
(i) The most important industrial source is as a
by product from the manufacture of hydrogen for
making ammonia :
CO  H2O  CO2  H2
CH4  2 H2O  CO2  4 H2
Rack your Brain
(ii) It is recovered from alcoholic fermatation :
yeast under
How does CO2 react with lime
C6H12O6 
anarobic condition
 2 C2H5OH  2 CO2 water?

(iii) It is obtained by heating crabonates :


CaCO3  CaO  CO2 

2 NaHCO3  Na 2CO3  H2O  CO3

(iv) In laboratory CO2 is prepared by the action of

dilute acids on carbonates : Previous Year’s Questions
CaCO3  2 HCl 
 CaCl 2  CO2  H2O
Carbon and silicon belong
to (IV) group. The maximum
coordination number of carbon in
[a] Silicones : commonly occurring compounds
They are groups of organo - silicon polymers is 4, whereas that of silicon is 6.
containing Si - O - Si linkages. This is due to
[AIPMT]
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Preparation : (1) availability of low lying

They are formed by the hydrolysis of alkyl or d-orbitals in silicon
aryl substituted chlorosilanes (formed by reaction (2) large size of silicon
Grignand regents and silicon tetrachloride) and (3) more electropositive nature
their subsequent polymerization. of silicon
(4) both (2) and (3)

16.
 SiCl 4  RMgCl 
 RSiCl 3  MgCl 2 Rack your Brain
SiCl 4  2 RMgCl 
 R2SiCl 2  2 MgCl 2
Why the name silicone resembles
SiCl 4  3 RMgCl 
 R3SiCl  3 MgCl 2
Grignard chlorosilanes with ketone?
Re agent

(i) Formation of cross - linked silicones :

(ii) Fomation of linear polymers :

p-Block Elements (Part-1)

(iii) Formation of dimers :

17.
 Properties :
1. R3SiCl is a chain stopping unit and reduces Rack your Brain
polymer size as it blocks the end of chain.
While R3SiCl is used to produce new cross – What makes silicones useful for
links and increase polymerization. making sealants and electrical
insulator?
2. Silicones are electrical insulators, water-
repellent, strong and inert. Their boiling
point and viscosity increases with increase
in chain length.
3. Silicones are stable towards heat.
ph > CH3 > Et > Pr is the order of stability
which varies with attaching R in the order.
4. Being water – repellent silicones are used
for treating glass ware and fabrics. Concept Ladder
5. They are also used as silicone rubbers and
hydraulic fluids. The basic structural unit
in silicates is the SiO4
tetrahedron. The SiO4
tetrahedral can be linked
[b] Silicates : in several different ways.
Silicates are derivaties of silicic and Si(OH)4 Depending on the number
of corners (0, 1, 2, 3 or 4) of
or H2SiO4. They have basic tetrahedral units SiO44–
the SiO4 tetrahedral shared,
and Si – O bond is considered to be 50% ionic
various kinds of silicates,
and 50% covalent.
single or double chains,
rings, sheet or three-
dimensional networks are
Preparation : formed.
Silicates can be prepared in an electric
furnance at about 1400°C by fusing an alkali
metal carbonate with sand.

SiO4 , Na 2  SiO3  , ......

1400C  SiO
Na 2CO3   CO2  Na 2O 
 sand  Na
2
4
  
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

n
soluble glass

18.
Classification of Silicate Minerals :
(i) Orthosilicates : These contain single discrete Concept Ladder
unit of SiO44– tetrahedral.
Ex : Zircon (gemstone) ZrSiO4
The ortho silicate ion is the
Forestrite or Olivine Mg2SiO4 strong conjugate base of
Phenacite Be2SiO4 weak orthosilicic acid as
Willemite Zn2SiO4 well as it will not persist in
Number of shared oxygen atom = 0 aqueous solutions. Hence
in nature, ortho silicate
minerals are rare and only
found with cations which
form highly insoluble salts.

(ii) Pyrosilicates : These silicates contain two

units of SiO44– joined along a corner containing
oxygen atom. These are also called as island

silicate.
Pyrosilicate ion Si2O76–

Previous Year’s Questions

Which of the followign anions is

p-Block Elements (Part-1)

present in the chain structure of

silicates?
[AIPMT]

(1) Si2O52 n
(2) SiO32

n

(3) SiO4− (4) Si2O6−

4 7

19.
 Ex : Thorteveititie Sc2Si2O7
Hemimorphite Zn3(Si2O7).Zn(OH)2.H2O
Number of shared oxygen atom = 1

(iii) Cyclic structure : They are also known as ring silicates having general formula (SiO3)n2n–.
Structure and example of cyclic silicates containing Si3O96– ans Si6O1812– ions are given
below :

Rack your Brain

Ex : Beryl Be3Al2Si6O18
Cyclic silicates are oligomer of
Wollastonite Ca3Si3O9 which unit?
Number of shared oxygen atoms = 2

(iv) Chain silicates : These are formed by sharing two

O2 atoms of each tetrahedral units. Anions of chain
silicates have 2 general formula.
Ex : Spodumene LiAl(SiO3)2
Concept Ladder
Diposide CaMg(SiO3)2
Tremolite Ca2Mg5(Si4O11)2(OH)2
The single and double chain
(a) (SiO3)n2n– silicates are collectively
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

known as Inosilicates.

20.
 Number of shared oxygen atom = 2
(b) (Si4O11)n6n–

Rack your Brain

If SiO44– units are replaced by

AlO45– units, three structure
formed is called?

Number of shared oxygen atom = 2.5

(v) Two dimensional sheet sillicates : In such silicates, three oxygen atoms of each
tetrahedral are shared with adjacent SiO44– tetrahedral, such sharing forms two dimensional
sheet structure with general (Si2O5)n2n–.

p-Block Elements (Part-1)

21.
 Ex : Tale Mg(Si2O5)2Mg(OH)2
Kaolin Al2(OH)4(Si2O5)
Number of shared oxygen atom = 3

(vi) 3D Sheet Silicates : These silicates involve

all four oxygen atoms in sharing with adjacent
SiO44– tetrahedral. For example, Quartz, Zeolites,
Concept Ladder
Ultramarines and Feldspars. Here all four oxygen
atoms are shared.
The two common forms
(allotropes) of tin white tin
Tin and its compounds :
and gray tin. The sudden
Tin is a soft, white lustrous, malleable metal.
degradation of white tin
It produces a cracking sound called tin cry
into gray tin is called tin
whenever it is bent.
pest.

Properties :
1. Tin reacts with steam to give SnO2 and H2.
2. It dissolves in dilute HNO3 forming Sn(NO3)2.

 4 Sn NO3   NH4NO3  3 H2O

4 Sn  10 HNO3 
2
(cold dil .)

3. It is rapidly attacked by hot alkalies and

slowly by cold alkalies. Thus it is amphoteric.

 Sn  OH 
2
Sn  2 OH  4 H2O   2 H2 (g)
 6

4. Sn is used in tin plating (coating iron or steel

sheets with tin) and making alloys like solder
(67% + 33% Pb) and bronze (75% Cu + 25% Rack your Brain
Sn).
Why tin is used in electroplating?
Sn2+ and Sn4+
Tin ion exists in two states +2 and +4 with
the +6 state being more stable. SnO2 is called as
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

cassiterite and found as a mineral in nature. The

other oxide SnO is obtained by heating stannous
oxalate and is less stable in nature.

Sn  C2O4  

 SnO  CO  CO2

22.
23.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)
 Both SnO and SnO2 are amphoteric but
SnO is slightly more basic than SnO2 and a good Concept Ladder
reducing agent too.
SnO  2 HCl 
 SnCl 2  H2O Stannic sulphide exists
SnO2  4 HCl 
 SnCl 4  2 H2O in yellow glistening
scales which is used for
 Na 2SnO2  H2O
SnO  2 NaOH 
Sodium stannite
decorative purposes under
 Na 2SnO3  H2O
SnO2  NaOH  and the name mosaic gold.
Sodium stannate

Among halides, stannous chloride (SnCl2) and

stannic chloride (SnCl4) are the most important.
SnCl2 exists as a di-hydrate which undergoes
hydrolysis on heating.
 Sn  OH Cl  HCl  H2O
SnCl 2 .2 H2O 

The anhydrous salt SnCl2 is obtained by

reaction of Sn with a calculated quantity of HgCl2.
Excess of HgCl2 result in the formation of stannic
chloride.
Rack your Brain

Sn  HgCl 2 
 SnCl 2  Hg
Sn  2 HgCl 2 excess  

 SnCl 4  2 Hg What is the Latin word for tin?

Most of the reactions of SnCl2 are due to

its reducing character. It reduces MnO4– to Mn2+,
Cr2O72– to Cr3+ and itself get oxidized to Sn4+.

Lead and its compounds Previous Year’s Questions

(i) Pb is a bluish grey soft metal which is
extremely poisonous and can be cut with a Which of the following oxidation
knife. states are the most charactristic
(ii) Lead often appears more unreactive than for lead and tin respectively?
expected from its standard electrode [AIPMT]
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

potential. The unreactiveness of Pb is due (1) +2, +4 (2) +4, +4

to the surface coating of basic carbonate (3) +2, +2 (4) +4, +2
2PbCO3.Pb(OH)2 which forms over lead when
exposed to air and moisture. Thus lead is
unaffected by water.
(iii) Pb is amphoteric hence dissolves in both
acids and hot alkalies similar to Sn. In

24.
 alkali it forms plumbates like Na2[Pb(OH)6]
or Na2PbO3. However, due to formation of
surface coating of PbCl2, lead does not
dissolve in concentrated HCl.
(iv) Pb is used in making lead chamber for H2SO4
plant and certain alloys like solider (Sn Pb). Rack your Brain

[a] Oxides : What is the formula of sindhur?

Pb exists as Pb+2 and Pb+4 with Pb+2 being
more stable, because of inert pair effect which
increase the stability of +2 state while going
down the group. Oxide formation is shown as :


Pb  O2  PbO  yellow  
380  420C
 Pb3O4 red 

O
 PbO2 brown
Lith arg e 2
Red lead

(i) PbO and PbO2 are both amphoteric and

dissolve in both acids and bases.
PbO  2 HCl 
 PbCl 2  H2O
PbO2  2 HCl 
 PbCl 2  H2O2
 Na 2PbO2  H2P
PbO  2 NaOH 
PbO2  2 NaOH 
 Na 2PbO3  H2O

Concept Ladder
(ii) Pb3O4 or Red Lead may be represented as
2PbO.PbO2 and is used in paint to prevent White lead is a white
the rusting of iron and steel. crystalline solid, which
(iii) Lead oxide (Litharge) is commercially turns black when exposed
important and is used in large amounts to to H2S due to PbS formation.
make lead glass. PbO2 is used as a strong it is highly poisonous.
oxidising agent and produced in lead storage
batteries.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

[b] Chlorides :
They are prepared by passing lead through a
current of chlorine gas.

Cl  excess 
Pb  Cl 2 
 PbCl 2 
2
 PbCl 4

25.
 Dissolving Pb2+ salt (PbO, PbCO3, Pb(NO3)2)
in HCl produces PbCl2. PbCl4 is less stable and
decomposes on heating at room temperature
and liberates Cl2.
25C
PbCl 4   PbCl 2  Cl 2
Concept Ladder
[c] Tetraethyl Lead (CH2CH2)4Pb :
Tetraethyl lead is produced in large amount.
Covalent character follows
It is used as an ‘anti-knock’ additive for increment
the order :
in the octane number of petrol. Its commercial
PbI2 > PbBr2 > PbCl2 > PbF2
preparation is used as a sodium/lead alloy.
Na | Pb  4 EtCl 
 PbEt 4  4 NaCl

For the new cars to run lead-free petrol,

(CH2CH2)4 is declined rapidly once was
produced in very larger tonnages than any other
organometallic compound.

Q.1 Standard electrode potential values, E– for Al3+/Al is –1.66 V and that of Tl3+/Tl
is +1.26 V. Predict about the formation of M3+ ion in solution and compare the
electropositive character of the two metals.

Sol. Standard electrode potential values for 2 half cell reactions suggest that Al has
high tendency to make Al (aq) ions, while Tl is a powerful oxidising agent but
3+ 3+

unstable in solution also. Thus Tl+ is more stable in solution than Tl3+. Aluminium
being able to form +3 ions easily, is more electropositive than thallium.

Q.2 Whtie fumes apear around the bottle of anhydrous aluminium chloride. Give
reason.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Sol. Anhyd. AlCl is partially hydrolysed with atmospheric moisture to liberate HCl gas.
3
Moist HCl appears whtie in colour.

26.
Q.3 Boron is unable to form BF63– ion. Explain.

Sol. Due to non-availability of d-orbitals, B is unable to expand its octet. Therefore, the
maximum covalence of boron cnanot exceed 4.

Q.4 Why is boric acid considered as a weak acid?

Sol. As it is not able to release H ions on its own. From H O molecules it receives OH
+ –
2
ions to complete its octet and in turn releases H ions.
+

Q.5 Diamond is covalent, yet it has high melting point. Why?

Sol. Diamond has a 3D network involving strong

break & in turn has high melting point.
C—C bonds, which are difficult to

Q.6 What are silicones?

Sol. Simple  |
silicones consist of   Si

 O   chains in which alkyl or phenyl groups
 | n

occupy the remaining bonding positions on each Si atom. They are hydrophobic
(water repellant) in nature.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Q.7 Explain the following :

(i) CO2 is a gas whereas SiO2 is solid.
(ii) Silicon forms SiF62- ion whereas the corresponding fluoro compound of
carbon is not known.

27.
 Sol. (i) Si has a large size compared to C. It does not form good pi overlapping. It forms
4 single covalent bonds with O atoms. Each O atom is linked with two Si atoms.
2 2
Thus, a large giant molecule of a 3D structure is formed whereas C form a double
bond with O2 atom due to pi overlapping.
(ii) Si has lower energy 3D orbital so it can expand its octet giving sp3d2 hybridization
while d orbitals are not present in the valence shell of C. It can undergo sp3
hybridisation only. The size of the C atom is very small to accommodate six
F-anions.

Q.8 The +1 oxidation state in group 13 and +2 oxidation state in group 14 becomes
more and more stable with increasing atomic number. Explain.

Sol. Because of poor shielding of s-orbital electrons by d and f orbitals, the tendency
of s-orbital to form the bond and it will decreases down the group in group 13 and
14.
This property is known as inner pair effect. Thus, the +1 O.S. in group 13 and +2
oxidation state in group 14 becomes more stable with increasing atomic number.

Q.9 Identify the compounds A, X and Z in the following reactions :

(i) A + 2HCL + 5H2O  2NaCI + X

X → HBO2 
 Z

Sol. AOrthoboric
is Borax which reacts
acid (X).
with hydrochloric acid in presence of water to give

On heating orthoboric acid it gives metaboric acid and further on heating gives the
compound Z i.e. Boron trioxide.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

Q.10 Explain the following :

(i) Gallium has a higher ionisation enthalpy than aluminium.
(ii) Boron does not exist as B3+ ion.

28.
Sol. (i) The effective nuclear charge on gallium is slightly higher than that on aluminium
because of ineffective shielding of valence e s by the intervening 3d e .
- -

(ii) Boron has 3 electrons in the valence shell. Because of its small size and a
high sum of the first three IE, it does not form B3+ ion.

Q.11 Carbon and silicon both belong to the group 14, but despite the stoichiometric
similarity, the dioxides, (i.e., carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide), differ in their
structures. Comment.

Sol. Cdue
can form stable pπ-pπ bonding with itself and other small atoms like O and N
to its small size. In CO each O atom is double-bonded with the C atom with
2 2

2 2
pπ-pπ overlapping. Si cannot form this bonding because of its large size.

Q.12 Explain the nature of boric acid as a Lewis acid in water.

Sol. Hacts
BO is a weak monobasic acid and accepts electons from a hydroxyl ion therefore
3 3
as a Lewis acid.
B(OH)3 + 2H2O 
 [B(OH)4]– + H3O+
H3BO3 accepts OH- and the formation of hydroxyl ion takes place. Thus, H2BO3 act
as a Lewis acid in H2O.

Q.12 Explain the following :

(i) Carbon shows catenation property but lead does not.
(ii) BF3 does not hydrolyse.

Sol. (i) The catenation property depends on the size of atom and the M—M bond
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

energy. Atomic radii is inversly proportational to the M-M bond energy, the greater
is the tendency to show catenation. On decending down the group the size of
atom increases and the M-M bond energy also reduces.
(ii) BF3 does not hydrolyze completely. Instead, it hydrolyzes incompletely to form
H3BO3 and HBF4. As HF first formed reacts with H3BO3.

29.
 Chapter Summary

1. Al atom is larger in size than Ga atom.

2. B4C3 (Boron Carbide) is one of the hardest known artificial substance and is called
Norbide.
3. Jewellers borax is Na2B4O7.5H2O.
4. Al is most abundant element on earth crust.
5. Conc. HNO3 renders Al passive.
6. H3BO3 renders Al passive.
7. AlCl3 exists as Al2Cl6 in solid state. When dissolved in water it dissociates as
[Al(H2O)6]3+ + 3Cl-.
8. Tin disease or tin plague or tin pest - When white tin changes to grey tin its volume
increase, it becomes brittle and crumbles in form of powder. It is called tin disease.
9. Tin cry - When bent, tin metal produces cracking sound (due to rubbin g of crystals)
which is called tin cry.
10. PbO3O4 (Red lead or minimum) is mixed oxide of PbO2.2PbO.
11. CO2 is anhydride of H2CO3.
12. CCl4 can’t be hydrolysed and SiCl4 is easily hydrolysed.
13. Solid CO2 is called dry ice because it cools surface without wetting it. Trade name
of dry ice is drikold.
14. Plumbo solvency is dissolution of lead in H2O containing air and CO2 forming
soluble Pb(OH)2 which gives highly poisonous Pb2+ ions. So lead pipes are not used for
carrying water.
15. Thermodynamically graphite is more stable than diamond.
16. Carbogen is (95% O2 and 5% CO2) and is used in artificial respiration.
17. Pyrene is trade name of CCl4 and uis used as fire exitinguishes.
18. U.V. rays are checked by Crooke’s glass.
19. Lead marks paper just like graphite, thereofre graphite pencils are called lead
pencils.
20. BN and graphite have similar structure.
21. Lead is used in making radiation shields because it stops harmful radiations.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

30.
31.
p-Block Elements (Part-1)
p-Block Elements (Part-1)

32.