chemistry

DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LI AND AL (PART-2)

Li resembles Mg mainly due to similarity in sizes of their atoms and ions. The main points of similarity are:

i) Both are quite hard.

ii) Both LiOH and Mg(OH)2 are weak bases.

iii) Carbonates of both on heating decompose to produce oxides and carbondioxide.

iv) Both react with nitrogen to give ionic nitrides.

v) Nitrates of both decompose on heating to give oxides.

vi) Both Li and Mg do not form solid bicarbonates.

vii) Because of covalent character LiCl and MgCl2 are soluble in ethanol.

viii) The hydroxides, bicarbonates and fluorides of both Li and Mg are sparingly soluble in water.