Question

Explain why can alkali and alkaline earth metals not be obtained by chemical reduction methods?

Answer 1

Alkali metals and alkaline earth metals are the most reactive metals, so they have great affinity for substances like oxygen and carbon dioxide, so they are always found in their oxides, carbonates and sulphates. So by reduction by convenient reducing agents (carbon monoxide, coke, hydrogen and ammonia), they can not be obtained. They can be reduced only by electrolytic reduction.