Question

1. Briefly describe the similarities between aluminum (Boron Group) and beryllium (Alkaline Earth Metals Group) on the basis of the so-called Diagonal Relationship (hint: define Diagonal Relationship first).

Answer 1

Diagonal relationship:

The similarity in the properties of definite pairs of diagonally adjacent elements in the second and third periods of the periodic table is called diagonal relationship.

(taken from internet)

Their properties resemble the properties of the second element of the following group due to the similarity in ionic sizes and /or charge/radius ratio of the elements.

Similarities between aluminum (boron group) and beryllium (alkaline earth metal group) on the basis of Diagonal relationship

●Both Be2+ and Al3+ ions are hydrated to produce [Be(H2O)4]2+ and Al(H2O)63+, respectively. When reacted with water, both compounds produce hydronium ions, making them slightly acidic.

●Another similarity between aluminum and beryllium is that they are amphoteric.

●Both aluminium and beryllium hydroxides are very basic in nature.

●Both metals also react with oxygen to produce oxide coatings capable of protecting other metals from corrosion.

●Both metals also react with halides that can act as Lewis acids.