Question

why does lithium not form peroxides and superoxides?

Answer 1

Lithium does form a peroxide as well as an oxide on burning in air and I suspect the low temperature reaction with air forms a significant amount of peroxide. Li does not seem to form a superoxide, LiO2, while Na does. There seems to be some misconception about the formation of superoxides and peroxides They result from successive one electron reductions of the O2 molecule and have O-O bond orders of 1.5 and 1 respectively. This is why they so readily form in reactions of O2 with the alkali metals which only lose one electron from each atom. Superoxides are radical ions with 1 unpaired electron and are yellow in color while peroxides have no unpaired electrons.

Answer 2

because in lithium positive charge is located over small size.so inspite of peroxide or syperoxide lithium form monoxide


hope it will help u.....