Lithium carbonate

 

Lithium carbonate

Chemical formula	Li2CO3
OTP appearance	odorless white powder
Index of refraction	1.428
Molar Mass(g/mol)	73.89
Density(g/cc)	2.11
Melting Point(°C)	723
Boiling Point(°C)	1310(decomp)
Solubility in water(g/L)	12.9
Solubility in ethanol(g/L)	non
NFPA 704	0 2 0

Uses

Primary

• Pharm: WHO LEM for bipolar disorder

Natural occurrence

• Does occur naturally as the rare mineral zabuyelite.

Production

Synthesis

1. Combine lithium with water yielding lithium hydroxide

   2 Li + 2 H₂O → 2 LiOH + H₂

2. Expose lithium hydroxide to air (carbon dioxide) producing lithium carbonate

   2 LiOH + 2 CO₂ → Li₂CO₃ + H₂O