The chemistry of lithium shows several differences from that of the rest of the group as the small Li+ cation polarises anions and gives its compounds a more covalent character.
ðə kˈɛmɪstɹi ʌv lˈɪθiəm ʃˈoʊz sˈɛvɹəl dˈɪfɹənsᵻz fɹʌm ðæt ʌvðə ɹˈɛst ʌvðə ɡɹˈuːp æz ðə smˈɔːl lˈaɪ plˈʌs kˈæɾaɪən pˈoʊlɚɹˌaɪzᵻz ˈænaɪənz ænd ɡˈɪvz ɪts kˈɑːmpaʊndz ɐ mˈoːɹ kˈoʊvələnt kˈæɹɪktɚ.