Chemistry: Group 1A - Alkali Metals

Study Notes

Consist of: Hydrogen (H), Lithium (LI), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr)
Valence: +1
Appearance: Silvery white
Soft metals that can be cut with a knife
Highly reactive metals
Hydroxides are strong bases
Alkalinity increases with atomic number
Degree of solvation decreases with increasing atomic number
Key elements in pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications: H, Li, Na, and K

Simplest and lightest element
Most abundant element in the universe
Third most abundant element in the earth’s crust, in combination with other elements
Stored in red containers
Used in inflating balloons
No therapeutic use

Water (H2O): Universal solvent, omnipresent
Deuterium oxide (D2O): Used as a solvent in NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy)
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2): Known as "Agua Oxigenada", it's an antiseptic used for Vincent stomatitis, overuse can cause Hairy tongue syndrome

Soft water: Contains lower levels of calcium and/or magnesium
Hard water: Contains high concentrations of calcium and/or magnesium ions
- Temporary hard water
- Permanent hard water

Purified Water, USP: Most widely used excipient in pharmaceutical manufacturing, used for preparation of aqueous dosage forms except those for parenteral administration, and for extemporaneous compounding test reagents
Water for Injection, USP: Frequently used solvent in large-scale manufacturing of injections, solvent for parenterals, not required to be sterile but must be pyrogen-free.
Sterile Water for Injection, USP: Packaged in single-dose containers not exceeding 1L, contraindicated for intravenous administration without additives, must be pyrogen-free but has allowable endotoxin level, used for extemporaneous compounding of parenteral medications.