Lithium carbonate
Chemical formula | {{#Chem: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 |
Uses
Primary
- Pharm: WHO LEM for bipolar disorder
Natural occurrence
- Does occur naturally as the rare mineral zabuyelite.
Hazards
Production
Extraction
Synthesis
- Combine lithium with water yielding lithium hydroxide
- {{#Chem: 2Li + 2H2O = 2LiOH + H2}}
- Expose lithium hydroxide to air (carbon dioxide) producing lithium carbonate
- {{#Chem: 2LiOH + 2CO2 = Li2CO3 + H2O}}