( 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.