Question:

Two elements A and B have similar chemical properties. They don’t form solid hydrogencarbonates, but react with nitrogen to form nitrides. A and B, respectively, are :

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Li and Mg show a diagonal relationship: both form nitrides directly, and neither LiHCO3 nor Mg(HCO3)2 exists as a solid.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • Li and Mg
  • Cs and Ba
  • Na and Rb
  • Na and Ca
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Among alkali metals only Li reacts directly with N2 to form a nitride (Li3N); Na, Rb and Cs do not. Alkaline earth metals form nitrides (M3N2) on heating in N2.
Solid hydrogencarbonates: alkali metals other than Li form solid MHCO3 (NaHCO3, CsHCO3, etc.); Li does not. Alkaline earth hydrogencarbonates exist only in solution.
Options (2), (3), (4) each contain Na, Rb or Cs, which form solid hydrogencarbonates and do not form nitrides directly, so they fail.
Li and Mg (diagonal relationship) both form nitrides and neither forms a solid hydrogencarbonate.
Answer: (1) Li and Mg
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