Alkali Metals

The alkali metals are a reactive group of metals located in the first group of the periodic table. They all have one valence electron and typically have the largest atomic radius of their period. They progressively get more reactive as you go down the periodic table. They all have the +1 oxidation state which means that they can form one bond by losing that outer valence electron. They all catch fire or explode on contact with water, producing hydrogen and the corresponding hydroxide. All alkali metals form very strong bases such as the hydroxide, hydride, methoxide, ethoxide, propoxide, and many more.

There are 6 alkali metals:

Lithium- electron configuration: [He]2s1-Van der Waals radius: 182 pm

Sodium- electron configuration: [Ne]3s1-Van der Waals radius: 227 pm

Potassium- electron configuration: [Ar]4s1-Van der Waals radius: 280 pm

Rubidium- electron configuration: [Kr]5s1-Van der Waals radius: 303 pm

Cesium- electron configuration: [Xe]6s1-Van der Waals radius: 343 pm

Francium- electron configuration: [Rn]7s1-Van der Waals radius: 348 pm