Question

Reducing power increases down the group ..so how can be lithium the strongest reducing agent

Answer 1

Answer:

lithium has a very small size leading to high energy of hydration and hence this compensates it's high ionization enthalpy and thereby making Lithium a strong reducing agent

Answer 2

Answer:

Lithium being small in size has high ionization enthalpy. On the other hand because of small size it is extensively hydrated and has very high hydration enthalpy. This high hydration enthalpy compensates the high energy needed to remove electron. Thus Li has greater tendency to lose electrons in solution than other alkali metals. Thus, Li is the strongest reducing agent