Some Important Chemical Compounds Introduction

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Sodium belongs to Group I in the periodic table. This group is otherwise known as the alkali metals group. Since the atomic number of sodium is 11, its electronic configuration is 2,8,1. Sodium easily loses the lone electron to attain the stable configuration of neon. Therefore alkali metals like sodium that are univalent can easily form ionic compounds. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) is an example for the univalent nature of sodium.

Since alkali metals like sodium are highly electropositive (tendency to lose an electron and become a cation), their carbonates and bicarbonates are highly stable to the action of heat.

The elements of Group II like calcium are called the alkaline earth metals. The atomic number of calcium is 20 and its configuration is 2,8,8,2. Calcium loses two electrons and becomes Ca²⁺ ion with the stable configuration of argon. Calcium is therefore bivalent in nature.

Some of the important sodium and calcium compounds are discussed in this chapter.