Question

Which alkali metal is the strongest reducing agent?

Answer 1

1. A reducing agent means which can reduce a substance by donating the electrons.
2. The alkali metals are strongest reducing agents, lithium being the most and sodium the least reducing agent.
3. With small size of lithium ion, it has highest hydration enthalpy which is responsible for a high negative ${\mathrm{E}}^{°}$value, and hence it has high reducing power.
4. Hence, lithium is the strongest reducing agent.