Among the s block elements, Lithium is the only metal to form a nitride directly. True or false?
False
From the group 1A elements, Lithium forms a nitride directly.
6Li+N2 → 2Li3N
Now let us recall diagonal relationship. Owing to their similar electronegativities, ionic radii, atomic/ionic volumes both Mg and Li exhibit many similarities. In the same group, as we go down, the size of the atom increases. On the other hand, as we move from left to right on the same period, the atomic size decreases. When we cross and descend the periodic table these two opposite effects are in play and this gives rise to similarities in the diagonally adjacent elements in the second and third periods.
Li and Mg have many similarities. They both form nitrides directly.