( f ) Electro negativity : The electro negativity values of alkaline earth metals are quite close to those of alkali metals , though slightly more .
( g ) Metallic Character : Alkaline earth metals have stronger metallic bonds as compared to the alkali metals present in the same period .
( h ) Melting and boiling point : The melting and Boiling points of these metals are higher than those of alkali metals present in the same period .
( i ) Colouration to the flame : With the exceptio9n of beryllium and magnesium , the rest of the elements impart characters in colour to the same flame . For example ,
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra - - Brick Red Crimson Grassy Green Crimson
J ) Complex formation : Generally the members do not form complexes . However , smaller ions ( Be & Mg Ions ) form complexes with the electron donor species
k ) Formation of organo-metallic compounds : Both beryllium and magnesium form a number of organo-metallic compounds containing M-C bond with certain organic compounds . For example , magnesium reacts with alkyl halide in the presence of dry ether to give Grignard reagent .
l ) Reducing character : Alkaline earth metals are weak reducing agent than the corresponding alkali metals which have lower ionization enthalpies and comparatively bigger atomic sizes .