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Question
All compounds of alkali metals are easily soluble in water but lithium compounds are more soluble in organic solvents. Explain.
Solution
Because of the small size, high electronegativity and high ionization enthalpy, lithium compounds have considerable covalent character while compounds of other alkali metals are ionic in nature. As a result, compounds of lithium are more soluble in organic solvents while those of other alkali metals are more soluble in water.
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