Alkali metalThe alkali metals consist of the chemical elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). Together with hydrogen they constitute group 1, which lies in the s-block of the periodic table. All alkali metals have their outermost electron in an s-orbital: this shared electron configuration results in their having very similar characteristic properties. Indeed, the alkali metals provide the best example of group trends in properties in the periodic table, with elements exhibiting well-characterised homologous behaviour.
Band gapIn solid-state physics and solid-state chemistry, a band gap, also called a bandgap or energy gap, is an energy range in a solid where no electronic states exist. In graphs of the electronic band structure of solids, the band gap refers to the energy difference (often expressed in electronvolts) between the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band in insulators and semiconductors. It is the energy required to promote an electron from the valence band to the conduction band.
DimethylzincDimethylzinc, also known as zinc methyl, DMZ, or DMZn, is an organozinc compound with the chemical formula . It belongs to the large series of similar compounds such as diethylzinc. It is formed by the action of methyl iodide on zinc or zinc-sodium alloy at elevated temperatures. Sodium assists the reaction of the zinc with the methyl iodide. Zinc iodide is formed as a byproduct. Dimethylzinc is a colorless mobile volatile liquid, which has a characteristic disagreeable garlic-like odor.
