Hydrogen

1. Position & Isotopes

Hydrogen is the first element (1s1). It shows anomalous behavior because it resembles both Alkali Metals (Group 1) and Halogens (Group 17).

  • Resemblance with Alkali Metals: Electronic config (ns1), forms unipositive ion (H+), forms oxides and halides.
  • Resemblance with Halogens: Ionization enthalpy is high, requires one electron to complete octet (He config), forms diatomic molecule (H2).

Isotopes of Hydrogen

IsotopeSymbolNeutronsNature
Protium1H10Common (99.9%)
Deuterium1H2 (D)1Stable (Heavy)
Tritium1H3 (T)2Radioactive (β-)

2. Preparation & Hydrides

Commercial Preparation:
  • Electrolysis of Water: With traces of acid/base using Pt electrodes. High purity H2 (>99.95%) obtained from Ba(OH)2.
  • Bosch Process: From Water Gas (CO + H2).
    C + H2O → CO + H2 (Water Gas Shift Reaction uses FeCrO4 catalyst).

Types of Hydrides

1. Ionic (Saline) Hydrides:

Formed by s-block elements (NaH, CaH2). Crystalline, non-volatile, conduct electricity in molten state.

2. Covalent (Molecular) Hydrides:

Formed by p-block elements. Classified into:

  • Electron Deficient: Group 13 (e.g., B2H6). Lewis Acids.
  • Electron Precise: Group 14 (e.g., CH4). Tetrahedral.
  • Electron Rich: Group 15-17 (e.g., NH3, H2O). Have lone pairs (Lewis Bases).
3. Metallic (Interstitial) Hydrides:

Formed by d & f block. H occupies interstitial sites. Non-stoichiometric (e.g., LaH2.87). Good for H-storage.

3. Water & Hardness

Hardness: Due to presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ salts. It prevents lather formation with soap.

TypeCaused ByRemoval Methods
TemporaryBicarbonates (HCO3-) of Ca, Mg1. Boiling
2. Clark's Method (Ca(OH)2)
PermanentChlorides & Sulphates of Ca, Mg1. Washing Soda (Na2CO3)
2. Calgon Method
3. Ion Exchange (Zeolite)
4. Synthetic Resin

4. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Structure:
Non-planar structure. Often called "Open Book" structure. Dihedral angle is 111.5° in gas phase and 90.2° in solid phase.
Structure of H2O2

Chemical Properties

Acts as both Oxidizing and Reducing agent in acidic and basic media.

  • Oxidizing: PbS(s) + 4H2O2 → PbSO4 + 4H2O (Bleaching action).
  • Reducing: HOCl + H2O2 → H3O+ + Cl- + O2 (Antichlor).

5. Uses & Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen Economy:

The transportation and storage of energy in the form of liquid or gaseous dihydrogen. Advantages:

  • High calorific value.
  • Pollution free (Product is water).
  • Used in fuel cells for electric power.

Specific Uses:
  • Liquid H2: Rocket fuel.
  • Atomic Hydrogen Torch: For cutting and welding (temp ~4000 K).
  • Vegetable Ghee: Hydrogenation of vegetable oils.

Numericals & HOTS

Q1. H2O2 Molarity

Calculate the molarity of a "20 volume" hydrogen peroxide solution.

Solution:
Relationship: Volume Strength = 11.2 × Molarity (M)
20 = 11.2 × M
M = 20 / 11.2
M = 1.79 M
Q2. Percent Strength (w/V)

Calculate the percentage strength (w/V) of a "10 volume" H2O2 solution.

Solution:
1. Find Molarity: M = 10 / 11.2 = 0.89 M.
2. Strength (g/L) = Molarity × Molar Mass (34 g/mol)
Strength = 0.89 × 34 = 30.26 g/L.
3. % w/V (g per 100 mL) = 30.26 / 10
Ans: 3.03%
Q3. Hardness Calculation

A sample of hard water contains 120 mg of MgSO4 per kg of water. Calculate the degree of hardness in ppm. (Molar mass MgSO4 = 120).

Solution:
1. Convert MgSO4 to CaCO3 equivalent.
120 g MgSO4 ≡ 100 g CaCO3.
So, 120 mg MgSO4 ≡ 100 mg CaCO3.

2. Hardness in ppm = (Mass CaCO3 eq / Mass Water) × 106
Mass Water = 1 kg = 1000 g = 106 mg.
ppm = (100 / 106) × 106
Hardness = 100 ppm
Q4. H2 from Hydrolith

Hydrolith is Calcium Hydride (CaH2). Calculate the volume of H2 produced at STP when 42 g of CaH2 reacts with excess water. (Ca=40, H=1).

Solution:
Reaction: CaH2 + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + 2H2.
Molar Mass CaH2 = 40 + 2 = 42 g/mol.

1 mole (42 g) CaH2 produces 2 moles of H2.
Volume of 2 moles H2 at STP = 2 × 22.4 L
Ans: 44.8 L
Q5. Neutrons in D2O

Calculate the total number of neutrons present in 1 mole of Heavy Water (D2O).

Solution:
Deuterium (1H2): 1 Proton, 1 Neutron.
Oxygen (8O16): 8 Protons, 8 Neutrons.

In D2O molecule: 2(1) + 8 = 10 Neutrons.
In 1 Mole D2O: 10 × NA neutrons.
Ans: 6.022 × 1024 neutrons
Q6. Lime Requirement (HOTS)

1000 Litres of water contains 16.2 g of Calcium Bicarbonate. Calculate the mass of Lime (Ca(OH)2) required to soften this water. (MW Ca(HCO3)2 = 162).

Solution:
Reaction: Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 → 2CaCO3 + 2H2O.
Stoichiometry: 1 mole Bicarbonate reacts with 1 mole Lime.

Moles of Bicarbonate = 16.2 g / 162 g/mol = 0.1 mol.
Moles of Lime required = 0.1 mol.
Mass of Lime = 0.1 × 74 g/mol
Ans: 7.4 g
Q7. Normality Calculation

Find the Normality of a "5.6 volume" H2O2 solution.

Solution:
Relationship: Volume Strength = 5.6 × Normality (N).
5.6 = 5.6 × N
N = 1.
Ans: 1 N
Q8. Saline Hydride Electrolysis

During the electrolysis of molten saline hydride (e.g., NaH), hydrogen gas is liberated at which electrode?

Solution:
Saline hydrides contain H- (Hydride ion).
At Anode (Oxidation): 2H- → H2(g) + 2e-.
Ans: Anode (This proves the existence of H- ion).
Q9. Bleaching Mechanism (HOTS)

H2O2 acts as a bleaching agent. Is this bleaching permanent or temporary? Compare with SO2.

Solution:
H2O2: Bleaches by Oxidation (Nascent Oxygen). The effect is Permanent.
SO2: Bleaches by Reduction (Nascent Hydrogen). The effect is Temporary (colour restores on oxidation by air).
Q10. KMnO4 Reaction

Why does acidified KMnO4 solution become colourless when H2O2 is added to it?

Solution:
Here H2O2 acts as a Reducing Agent.
Reaction: 2MnO4- (Purple) + 5H2O2 + 6H+ → 2Mn2+ (Colourless) + 5O2 + 8H2O.
Reduction of Mn(+7) to Mn(+2) causes loss of colour.

Important Formulae & Reactions

1. Strength of H2O2

Volume Strength (V):

Vol. Strength = 11.2 × Molarity
Vol. Strength = 5.6 × Normality

Percentage Strength (% w/V):

% Strength = (Vol. Strength / 11.2) × (34 / 10)

(34 is Molar Mass of H2O2)

2. Water Hardness

Degree of Hardness (ppm):

ppm = (Mass of CaCO3 eq. / Mass of Water) × 106

Calgon Formula (Sodium Hexametaphosphate):

Na6P6O18

(Commercially represented as Na2[Na4(PO3)6])

3. Key Preparation Reactions

Coal Gasification (Syn Gas):

C(s) + H2O(g) → CO(g) + H2(g)

Water Gas Shift Reaction:

CO(g) + H2O(g) &xrightarrow{FeCrO_4} CO2(g) + H2(g)

Lab Prep (Amphoteric Nature):

Zn + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 + H2

(Sodium Zincate is formed)

20 Golden Facts (NEET)

  • 1. Tritium: The only radioactive isotope of Hydrogen. It is a low energy β- emitter and has a half-life of 12.33 years.
  • 2. Hydride Gap: Metals of Group 7, 8, and 9 do NOT form hydrides. This region in the periodic table is called the Hydride Gap. (Exception: CrH only).
  • 3. Ortho vs Para Hydrogen: At room temp, H2 is 75% Ortho (parallel nuclear spin) and 25% Para (anti-parallel). At very low temps, Para form is more stable (100% Para at 0K).
  • 4. Density of Ice: Ice has a cage-like structure due to H-bonding, leaving vacant spaces. Thus, Density of Ice < Density of Water. Max density of water is at 4°C.
  • 5. 10 Volume H2O2: This means 1 Litre of this H2O2 solution will produce 10 Litres of O2 at STP. It corresponds to ~3% strength.
  • 6. H2O2 Storage: It decomposes slowly on exposure to light. Stored in wax-lined glass or plastic bottles in dark. Urea is added as a stabilizer.
  • 7. Temporary Hardness: Caused by Bicarbonates (HCO3-) of Ca and Mg. Removed simply by Boiling (converts to insoluble carbonates) or Clark's method.
  • 8. Permanent Hardness: Caused by Chlorides and Sulphates. Removed by Washing Soda, Calgon, or Ion-Exchange (Zeolites/Resins). Boiling does NOT remove it.
  • 9. Heavy Water (D2O): Prepared by exhaustive electrolysis of water. Used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons.
  • 10. Non-stoichiometric Hydrides: Transition metals (d-block) form hydrides like LaH2.87, TiH1.5-1.8. They are good potential hydrogen storage media.
  • 11. Antichlor: H2O2 is used as an antichlor to remove excess chlorine from fabrics after bleaching.
  • 12. Structure of H2O2: It has a non-planar, Open Book structure. The dihedral angle is 111.5° in Gas phase and 90.2° in Solid phase.
  • 13. Atomic Hydrogen Torch: Recombination of atomic hydrogen generates very high temp (4000 K), used for cutting and welding high-melting metals.
  • 14. Nascent Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced in situ (e.g., Zn + H2SO4) is called Nascent Hydrogen. It is a much stronger reducing agent than molecular H2.
  • 15. Permutit/Zeolite: Hydrated Sodium Aluminium Silicate (NaAlSiO4). Used for softening water by exchanging Na+ with Ca2+/Mg2+.
  • 16. High Ionization Enthalpy: Hydrogen has a very high IE (1312 kJ/mol) for a single electron species, resembling Halogens more than Alkali metals in this aspect.
  • 17. Oxidizing Action of H2O2: In acidic medium, H2O2 oxidizes Fe2+ to Fe3+ (Ferrous to Ferric) and PbS to PbSO4 (Black to White).
  • 18. Clark's Method: Calculates exact amount of Lime (Ca(OH)2) needed. If excess lime is added, water becomes hard again due to formation of soluble Calcium Bicarbonate.
  • 19. Synthetic Resin: Cation exchange resins (R-SO3H) exchange H+ for Ca2+, and Anion exchange resins (R-NH2) exchange OH- for Cl-. This produces demineralized water.
  • 20. Fuel of Future: Dihydrogen yields more energy per unit mass than petrol (approx 3 times). However, storage (requires heavy cylinders) is the main challenge.
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