Question

Name.The alkali metal which acts a strong reducing agent in aqueous

Answer 1

From the ionization energies we might expect lithium to be the weakest of the alkali metals as a reducing agent in water. However, the standard reduction potentials indicate that it is the strongest. This reversal results mainly from the very large energy of hydration of the small Li+ ion. Please note that the reaction takes place in water and not in a gas phase. What this means is that because of its relatively high charge density, the Li+ ion very effectively attracts water molecules. A large quantity of energy is released in the process, favoring the formation of the Li+ ion and making lithium a strong reducing agent in aqueous solution.