Anomalous behaviour of Lithium

         Anomalous behaviour of lithium is due to extremely small size of lithium its cation on account of small size and high nuclear charge, lithium exerts greatest polarizing effect out of all the alkali metals on the negative ion. As a result lithium ion have remarkable tendency towards the solvation and develops the covalent character in the compounds of it. Li differs from other alkali metals in the below stated respects,

         (1) It is comparatively harder than the other alkali metals.  Li can'nt be stored in the kerosene as it floats to surface, because of its very low density. Li is commonly kept wrapped in the parrafin wax.

         (2) It can be melted in the dry air without losing its brilliance.

         (3) Not like other alkali metals, it is least reactive among all. It can be noticed by the properties stated below,

         (i) It is not affected by air.
        (ii) It decomposes water slowly to liberate H₂.
        (iii) It hardly reacts with the bromine while other alkali metals react violently with it.

         (4) Lithium is only alkali metal which directly reacts with the N₂ to form Lithium nitride (Li₃N)

         (5) Lithium when heated in the NH₃ forms amide, Li₂ NH while other metals form the amides, which is MNH₂.

         (6) When burnt in the air, lithium form Li₂O sodium form Na₂O and Na₂O₂ other alkali metals form the monoxide, peroxide and superoxide.

         (7) Li₂O is much less basic and less soluble in water than the other alkali metals.

         (8) LiOH is weaker base than the NaOH or KOH and decomposes while heating.

         (9) LiHCO₃ is liquid in nature while other metal bicarbonates are solid.

         (10) Only Li₂CO₃ decomposes on heating   which is shown below

            Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃ etc.  do not decompose on heating.

         (11) LiNO₃ and other alkali metal nitrates provides different products on heating

         4LiNO₃ = 2Li₂O+4NO₂ + O₂ ; 2NaNO₃ = 2NaNO₂ + O₂

         (12) LiCl and LiNO₃ are soluble in the alcohol and other organic solvents. These salts of the other alkali metals are, though, insoluble in organic solvents.

         (13) LiCl is deliquescent while the NaCl, KBr etc. are not. Lithium chloride crystals comprise two molecules of the water of crystallisation (LiCl. 2H₂O). Crystals of NaCl KBr, KI etc do not conation water of the crystallisation.

         (14) Li₂SO₄ does not form alums as other alkali metals.

         (15) Li reacts with the water slowly at room temperature Na reacts vigorously Reaction with the K Rb and Cs is quite violent.

         (16) Li reacts with Br₂ slowly. Reaction of the other alkali metals with Br₂ is fast.

         (17) Li₂ CO₃ Li₂C₂O₄, LiF , Li₃PO₄ are the only alkali metal salts which are insoluble or sparingly soluble in water.

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