Chemical Fact Sheet
Lithium
| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) | 7439-93-2 |
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| Synonyms | LITHIUM,-METALLIC |
| Analytical Methods | 200.7 - 6010 - 200.8 - 6020 |
| Molecular Formula | Li |
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Synopsis
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Lithium - (Gr. lithos, stone), Li; at. wt. 6.941(2); at. no. 3, m.p. 180.5 deg C; b.p. 1342 deg C; sp. gr. 0.534 (20 deg C); valence 1. Discovered by Arfvedson in 1817. Lithium is the lightest of all metals, with a density only about half that of water. It does not occur free in nature; combined it is found in small amounts in nearly all igneous rocks and in the waters of many mineral springs. Lepidolite, spodumene, petalite, and amblygonite are the more important minerals containing it. Lithium is presently being recovered from brines of Searles Lake, in California. and from Nevada, Chile, and Argentina. Large deposits of spodumene are found in North Carolina. The metal is produced electrolytically from the fused chloride. Lithium is silvery in appearance, much like Na and K, other members of the alkali metal series. It reacts with water, but not as vigorously as sodium. Lithium imparts a beautiful crimson color to a flame, but when the metal burns strongly the flame is a dazzling white. Since World War II, the production of lithium metal and its compounds has increased greatly. Because the metal has the highest specific heat of any solid element, it has found use in heat transfer applications; however, it is corrosive and requires special handling. The metal has been used as an alloying agent, is of interest in synthesis of organic compounds, and has nuclear applications. It ranks as a leading contender as a battery anode material as it has a high electrochemical potential. Lithium is used in special glasses and ceramics. The glass for the 200-inch telescope at Mt. Palomar contains lithium as a minor ingredient. Lithium chloride is one of the most hygroscopic materials known, and it, as well as lithium bromide, is used in air conditioning and industrial drying systems. Lithium stearate is used as an all-purpose and high-temperature lubricant. Other lithium compounds are used in dry cells and storage batteries. Seven isotopes of lithium are recognized. Natural lithium contains two isotopes. The metal is priced at about $500/kg (99.9%). |
| Use | AS "GETTER" IN VACUUM TUBES; MFR OF CATALYSTS FOR POLYOLEFIN PLASTICS; IN FUELS FOR AIRCRAFT, MISSILES AS SCAVENGER IN METAL MFR & IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS IN METALLURGY, AS DEGASIFIER, DEOXIDIZER, DESULFURIZER; AS GRAIN REFINER IN NON-FERROUS METALS CHEM INT FOR BUTYLLITHIUM POLYMERIZATION CATALYST & METHYLLITHIUM FOR VITAMIN A MFR; ANODE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BATTERIES; IN ALLOYS WITH ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM FOR AEROSPACE USES; CONSTITUENT OF SOLDER & BRAZING ALLOYS IN REDUCING & HYDROGENATING AGENTS, PHARMACEUTICALS, GRIGNARD REAGENTS, MODULAR IRON, LI SOAPS, UNDER-WATER BUOYANCY DEVICES; PRODN OF TRITIUM IN SPECIAL GLASSES & CERAMICS AS COOLANT OR HEAT EXCHANGER IN REACTORS & CATALYST IN MFR OF SYNTHETIC RUBBER & MULTIPURPOSE LUBRICANTS |
| Consumption Patterns | Aluminum potlines, 30%; Glass and ceramics manufacture and lubricants, 40% (1985) |
| Apparent Color | SILVERY-WHITE METAL; BODY-CENTERED CUBIC STRUCTURE; BECOMES YELLOWISH ON EXPOSURE TO MOIST AIR; TARNISHES TO GRAYISH-WHITE ON EXPOSURE TO AIR |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Boiling Point | 1342 DEG C |
| Melting Point | 180.54 DEG C |
| Molecular Weight | 6.941 |
| Density | 0.534 @ 20 DEG C |
| Sensitivity Data | SOLID MATERIAL MAY CAUSE SKIN & EYE BURNS SINCE IT REACTS WITH MOISTURE TO FORM CAUSTIC. FUMES FROM BURNING LI ARE HIGHLY IRRITATING TO SKIN, EYES, & MUCOUS MEMBRANES. |
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Chemical and Physical Properties |
VALENCE: 1; ATOMIC NUMBER: 3; NATURAL ISOTOPES: 7 (92.58%), 6 (7.42%); REACTS WITH WATER TO FORM HYDROXIDE & HYDROGEN; HEAT CAPACITY: 5.892 CAL/MOLE DEG @ 25 DEG C; ARTIFICIAL RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES: 5, 8, 9 (ALL UNSTABLE, T/2 LESS THAN 1 SEC) REACTS VIGOROUSLY WITH NITRIC ACID; REACTS WITH HYDROGEN AT A RED HEAT; COMBINES DIRECTLY WITH NITROGEN, HALOGENS, OR SULFUR UNDER PROPER CONDITIONS; IMPARTS A CARMINE-RED COLOR TO BUNSEN FLAME; FORMS LIO2 WHEN HEATED TO 100 DEG C OR HIGHER; ATTACKED RAPIDLY BY DIL HYDROCHLORIC ACID OR SULFURIC ACID; SLOWLY BY CONCN SULFURIC ACID; DOES NOT REACT WITH OXYGEN AT ROOM TEMP HARDEST ALKALI METAL WHEN HEATED ABOVE MP IT BURNS WITH AN INTENSE WHITE LIGHT; LIQUID METAL DISSOLVES METALS SUCH AS COPPER, ZINC, TIN & THEIR ALLOYS METAL HAS HIGHEST SPECIFIC HEAT OF ANY SOLID ELEMENT; LIGHTEST OF ALL METALS HEAT OF SOLUTION: -31,500 BTU/LB= -17,500 CAL/G= -733X10+5 J/KG MOHS HARDNESS 0.6; HIGH ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY; VERY SOFT METAL HIGHLY ELECTROPOSITIVE; HIGH IONIZATION POTENTIAL; DOES NOT GENERALLY FORM COORDINATE COVALENT CMPD DECOMP IN ALCOHOL Heat of Fusion: 1100 cal/g mole; 158.5 cal/g |
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Environmental Impact |
INDUST EXPOSURES TO LI OCCUR DURING EXTRACTION OF LI FROM ITS ORES, PREPN OF VARIOUS LI COMPOUNDS, WELDING, BRAZING, ENAMELING, & MORE RECENTLY BY EXPOSURE TO LI HYDRIDES. NEWER EXTRACTION PROCESSES USE AQ SYSTEMS THAT REDUCE EXPOSURES MATERIALLY IN COMPARISON WITH THE CALCINING PROCESSES. LI FUMES COMPRISE THE POTENTIAL EXPOSURES IN WELDING & BRAZING, PARTICULARLY FROM ACCIDENTS OR LEAKS IN THE USE OF LITHIUM HYDRIDES. |
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Environmental Fate |
IN EARTH'S CRUST: 0.005% BY WT. OCCURS IN MINERALS: SPODUMENE,LEPIDOLITE,PETALITE,AMBLYGONITE & TRIPHYLITE CONTAIN 3-10% LI2O. OCCURS IN HYDROSPHERE IN LOW CONCN (11 PPM SEA WATER) & IN CERTAIN MINERAL WATERS. RECOVERED FROM BRINES OF SEARLES LAKE IN CA, & FROM THOSE IN NV. LARGE DEPOSITS OF SPODUMENE ARE FOUND IN NC. LI OCCURS IN TRACES IN MANY PLANTS GROWN IN SOILS WHICH CONTAIN AS MUCH AS 100 PPM LI. SOME FOODS CONTAIN LI, DAILY INTAKE CALCULATED TO BE 2 MG. ABOUT 2.2 MG IS PRESENT IN ADULTS. |
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