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Why reducing nature of lithium metal is greatest and sodium being least powerful ruducing nature?

Why reducing nature of lithium metal is greatest and sodium being least powerful ruducing nature?

Grade:12th pass

2 Answers

Gowtham
40 Points
6 years ago
there are two factors which effect reducing nature
1.ionisation energy
2.hydration enthalpy
 
hydration enthalpy is the energy released when a bond is formed between ion and the water
the lone pair on oxygen and the positive ion are attracted towards each other
hydration enthalpy depends on
1.size
2.charge
in simple words it depends on charge density which is charge/volume
if charge increases the hydration enthalpy increases
if size decreases the hydration enthalpy increases
in 1A group lithium has the least size
so it acts as powerful reducing agent
despite of its more ionisation energy
 
 
Gowtham
40 Points
6 years ago
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.

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