Because of the higher electronegativity of lithium, some of its compounds have a more covalent character.
bɪkˈʌz ʌvðə hˈaɪɚɹ ᵻlˌɛktɹoʊŋɡɐtˈɪvᵻɾi ʌv lˈɪθiəm, sˌʌm ʌv ɪts kˈɑːmpaʊndz hæv ɐ mˈoːɹ kˈoʊvələnt kˈæɹɪktɚ.