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The Periodic Table

The Alkali Metals  -  Reaction with Halogens.

Lithium, sodium and potassium will all react vigorously with halogens
to form the corresponding halide salt.

The halogens are Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine.

For example,

lithium + fluorine  arrow  lithium fluoride.
2Li(s)  +    F2(g)   arrow           2LiF(s)

lithium + chlorine  arrow lithium chloride.
2Li(s)  +    Cl2(g)   arrow           2LiCl(s)

lithium + bromine  arrow  lithium bromide.
2Li(s)  +    Br2(l)   arrow           2LiBr(s)

lithium + iodine  arrow  lithium iodide.
2Li(s)  +    I2(s)   arrow           2LiI(s)

All the metal halide salts are ionic compounds which form a giant structure.
They are called metal halides
because they are made from a metal and a halogen.

See also the reactions of potassium and sodium with halogens.

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