What happens when alkali metals reacts in air?
The alkali metals tarnish in dry air due to the formation of their oxides which in turn react with moisture to form hydroxides. They burn vigorously in oxygen forming oxides. Lithium forms monoxide, sodium forms peroxide, stable only in the presence of large cations such as K, Rb, Cs. 4 Li +O22LiO2 (oxide) 2 Na + O2 Na2O2 (superoxide)
