Explain the stability of carbonates & bicarbonates of alkali metals .
The alkali metals form salts with all the oxo-acids. They are generally soluble in water and thermally stable. Their carbonates (M2CO3) and in most cases the hydrogencarbonates (MHCO3) also are highly stable to heat. As the electropositive character increases down the group, the stability of the carbonates and hydorgencarbonates increases. Lithium carbonate is not so stable to heat; lithium being very small in size polarises a large CO3 2– ion leading to the formation of more stable Li2O and CO2. Its hydrogencarbonate does not exist as a solid.