Why are Lithium Salts Mostly Hydrated

Answer: In comparison to the other alkali metals, lithium has the tiniest size. As a result, the Li+ ion has a greater capacity than other alkali metals to polarise the water molecules. As a direct consequence of this, water molecules end up becoming bonded to lithium salts in the form of water of crystallisation.

As a result, lithium salts are typically hydrated, and one example of this is lithium chloride trihydrate (LiC1.3H20). The polarising power of the ions reduces in proportion to the increase in size of the ions. As a result, the enthalpies of hydration are diminished. As a result, other alkali metal ions typically combine with hydrogen to form anhydrous salts.