Compounds | Reactions | Production
|
Lithium bromide LiBr |
An extremely hygroscopic and often used as a dessicant. Along with lithium chloride (LiCl), it is frequently used in air conditioning and industrial drying systems. |
Lithium carbonate Li2CO3 |
A chemical compound that is used as a mood stabilizer in psychiatric treatment of manic states and bipolar disorder. |
Lithium citrate Li3C6H5O7 |
A chemical compound that is used as a mood stabilizer in psychiatric treatment of manic states and bipolar disorder. |
Lithium hydride LiH |
It has numerous uses, as a desiccant, among them as a precursor in chemical synthesis (in particular for lithium aluminium hydride), in hydrogen generators, as both a coolant and shielding in nuclear reactors, and in the manufacture of ceramics. |
One of its most infamous usages is as the fusion fuel in thermonuclear weapons, in the deuteride form; when this is irradiated with neutrons, lithium forms tritium (along with more neutrons, creating a chain reaction), which is a key ingredient in the thermonuclear reactions which power these devices. |
Lithium hydroxide LiOH |
It is made by mixing lithium and water. A reaction so violent, and so much heat is given off, that the hydrogen produced burns with a bright purple flame. For this reason, lithium batteries must be kept away from water. |
Lithium hydroxide is used in breathing gas purification systems for spacecraft, submarines, and rebreathers to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaled gas by producing lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). |
Lithium iodide LiI |
Lithium iodide is used as an electrolyte for high temperature batteries. It is also used for long life batteries as required, for example, by cardiac pacemakers. The solid is used as a phosphor for neutron detection. |
Lithium nitrate LiNO3 |
An oxidizing agent used in the manufacture of fireworks and flares. It is deliquescent. |
Lithium perchlorate LiClO4 |
: Irritant : Oxidizer : |
Lithium perchlorate is used as a fuel and oxygen source in some chemical oxygen generators. As it has both the highest weight to oxygen and volume to oxygen ratio of all perchlorates, it is especially advantageous in aerospace applications. |
It is also used extensively as an electrolyte in lithium batteries. |
Lithium peroxide Li2O2 |
It is used in air purifiers such as those used in submarines to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. |
Lithium sulfate Li2SO4 |
It is used to treat bipolar disorder. |