Question

The fact that Li has maximum reducing nature is due to its maximum positive standard reduction electrode potential value which is actually in aqueous solution:

$M^{+}\left(aq\right)+e^{-}\to M\left(s\right)$.
Answer whether the above statement is true or false.
If true enter 1, else enter 0.

Answer 1

$Li$ has maximum reducing nature due to its maximum negative standard reduction electrode potential.

A very high negative reduction potential of lithium electrode indicates that it is very difficult to reduce $L{i}^{+}$ ions to $Li$ atoms. Therefore, $L{i}^{+}$ cannot accept electrons easily and so, loses electrons to behave as a reducing agent.

When we deal with reducing agents in aqueous state, Li is the strongest reducing agent because the sum of sublimation, ionization and hydration energies for Li is the smallest. Since Li is smallest in size,its hydration energy is extremely high (remember that hydration energy is energy released and hence is negative). Since sum of all these energies is the smallest for Li, it is the best reducing agent.