Solid bicarbonates (hydrogen carbonates) are formed by most alkali metals, but there is one notable — s Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
Solid bicarbonates (hydrogen carbonates) are formed by most alkali metals, but there is one notable exception in Group 1 that only exists in aqueous solution. Which metal fails to form a solid bicarbonate, and why?
Answer: D
💡 Solution & Explanation
Lithium bicarbonate ($LiHCO_3$) cannot be isolated as a solid. The exceptionally small $Li^+$ ion has very high polarizing power and cannot stabilize the large $HCO_3^-$ ion in a solid crystal lattice. It exists only in solution.
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