Lithium bromide

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Lithium bromide
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

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]

Contents

[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

  1. ^ a b Ulrich Wietelmann, Richard J. Bauer "Lithium and Lithium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH: Weinheim.
  2. ^ Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
  3. ^ Bipolar disorder

[edit] External links

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