IUPAC Name
Lithium Chloride
Cas Number
7447-41-8
HS Code
28273910
Formula
LiCl
Industry
-
Appearance
Colorless crystals or white granular powder
Common Names
Lithiumchloride; Chlorure de lithium
Packaging
250kg/drum, 80 drums/20 FCL 20T
270kg/drum, 80 drums/20 FCL 21.6T
Lithium Chloride is extremely soluble in polar solvents such as water due to the small size of Li+ ion. LiCl form crystalline hydrates, unlike other alkali metal chlorides. The anhydrous salt can be regenerated by heating the hydrates. LiCl also absorbs up to four equivalents of ammonia/mol.
There are many ways of manufacturing Lithium Chloride:
Method 1: Lithium chloride may be prepared by reaction of lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid followed by crystallization:
Crystallization above 95°C yields anhydrous salt. Hot solution upon cooling forms crystals of monohydrate, LiCl.H2O.
Method 2: Reaction of lithium ores with chlorides or natural brines.
Mainly used to produce lithium metal by electrolysis of a LiCl/KCl which melts at 450 °C (842 °F)
Also used as a brazing flux for aluminium in automobile parts.
An additive in the Stille reaction in organic synthesis.
Flame colourant to produce dark, red flames
Preparation of carbon nanotubes, graphene and lithium niobite
The desiccant in dehumidification systems.