锂的化学性质与其它碱金属有明显差别，但却与镁明显相似。铍也有类似的现象，铍的化学性质与其它碱土金属有明显差别，但却与铝明显相似。这种现象叫做对角线规则(或斜向关系)。

A diagonal relationship is said to exist between certain pairs of diagonally adjacent elements in the second and third periods of the periodic table. These pairs (lithium (Li) and magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be) and aluminium (Al), boron (B) and silicon (Si) etc.) exhibit similar properties; for example, boron and silicon are both semiconductors, forming halides that are hydrolysed in water and have acidic oxides.