Lithium bromide
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| Lithium bromide | |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | LiBr |
| Molar mass | 86.845 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Density | 3.464 g/cm3, Solid |
| Melting point |
552 °C |
| Boiling point |
1265 °C |
| Solubility in water | 177 g/100 ml (20°C) (dihydrate) |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Lithium bromide, or LiBr, is a chemical compound of lithium and bromine. Its extreme hygroscopic character makes LiBr useful as a desiccant in certain air conditioning systems.[1]
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[edit] Production and properties
LiBr is prepared by treatment of lithium carbonate with hydrobromic acid. The salt forms several crystalline hydrates, unlike the other alkali metal bromides.[2] The anhydrous salt forms cubic crystals similar to salt
[edit] Uses
Lithium bromide is used in air-conditioning systems as desiccant. Otherwise the salt is useful as a reagent in organic synthesis. For example it reversibly forms adducts with some pharmaceuticals.[1]
[edit] Medical applications
Lithium bromide was used as a sedative beginning in the early 1900s, but it fell into disfavor in the 1940s when some heart patients died after using it as a salt substitute.[3] Like lithium carbonate and lithium chloride it was used as treatment for Bipolar disorder.
[edit] Hazards
Lithium salts are psychoactive and somewhat corrosive. Dosages for lithium carbonate are ca. 200 mg/day.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ulrich Wietelmann, Richard J. Bauer "Lithium and Lithium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH: Weinheim.
- ^ Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
- ^ Bipolar disorder
[edit] External links
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