In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical behaviour?
Lithium and Magnesium have similarities in chemical behaviour and this relation is known as
‘DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP’. Some similarities are:
1) Both form monoxides with O2.
2LiOH → Li2O + H2O
Mg(OH)2 → MgO + H2O
2) Both form nitrides with Nitrogen.
6Li + N2→ 2Li3N
3Mg + N2→ Mg3N2
3) Both elements have tendency to form covalent compounds.
4) Both form complex compounds.
5) Neither Li nor Mg form peroxides or superoxide.
6) Li and Mg do not form solid bicarbonates.
7) Both LiCl and MgCl2 are soluble in ethanol owing to their covalent nature.