`2LiOH overset("red hot")to Li_2O + H_2O`, but `2NaOH overset("red hot")toxx` Explain the above observation.

Explanation

The smaller `Li^(+)` ion exerts strong polarising power and distorts the electron cloud of the nearby oxygen atom of the `OH^(-)` ion. This results in formation of strong Li-O bond and weakening of the O-H bond. This ultimately facilitates the decomposition of LiOH into `Li_2O and H_2O`. The polarising power of the large `Na^(+)` ion is much lower and thus, NaOH remains unaffected on heating.