Lithium chloride
[CAS# 7447-41-8]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Metal halides and halides >> Metal chlorides and salts
• Name: Lithium chloride
• Molecular Formula: LiCl
• Molecular Weight: 42.39
• CAS Registry Number: 7447-41-8
• EC Number: 231-212-3
• SMILES: [Li+].[Cl-]

Properties

• Density: 2.068
• Melting point: 605 °C
• Boiling point: 1382 °C
• Water solubility: 832 g/L (20 °C)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H302-H315-H319-H335
• Safety Statements: P261-P264-P270-P271-P280-P301+P312-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P330-P332+P313-P337+P313-P362-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1A	H360
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332
Reproductive toxicity	Lact.	-	H362
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	2	H373
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	1	H370
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	2	H330
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	1A	H350
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2A	H319
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1A	H360D
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H311
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301

Discovery and Applications

Lithium chloride is a chemical compound widely recognized for its role in both industrial and scientific applications. Composed of lithium and chlorine, this ionic compound is known for its high solubility in water and hygroscopic nature, which allows it to absorb moisture from the air. The discovery and practical use of lithium chloride have greatly impacted various fields, from chemical synthesis to electrochemical technologies.

Lithium chloride has been extensively studied due to lithium’s unique properties as the lightest metal and its high reactivity. This compound was first explored for its potential in chemical reactions and as an essential reagent in organic synthesis. Lithium chloride is used to catalyze various reactions, including the formation of organolithium reagents, which are critical in synthesizing complex organic molecules. The ability of lithium chloride to form stable complexes with organic molecules makes it particularly useful in organic and inorganic chemistry.

In the field of electrochemistry, lithium chloride has proven to be a key component in lithium-ion batteries. It is used in the production of electrolyte solutions that facilitate the movement of lithium ions between the battery’s anode and cathode during the charging and discharging process. Lithium-ion batteries have become essential in modern portable electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. The role of lithium chloride in ensuring the efficiency and stability of these batteries has contributed to the advancement of energy storage technologies.

Lithium chloride also finds use in the realm of biochemical applications. It has been employed as a reagent in molecular biology for the precipitation of RNA during nucleic acid extraction procedures. This application is critical for research in genetic studies and biotechnology, where the isolation and purification of RNA are necessary for various experimental protocols.

Additionally, lithium chloride has been used in air conditioning and dehumidification systems due to its hygroscopic properties. It helps regulate humidity levels in certain industrial environments, providing efficient moisture control.

The versatility of lithium chloride makes it a valuable compound in multiple disciplines, including chemistry, energy storage, and biotechnology, highlighting its significant role in both research and industry.

References

1979. The stimulation of rat brain monoamine oxidase by dietary lithium chloride. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 35(7).
DOI: 10.1007/bf01949899

1994. The lymphoblast beta-adrenergic receptor in bipolar depressed patients: effect of chronic incubation with lithium chloride. Journal of Affective Disorders, 30(4).
DOI: 10.1016/0165-0327(94)90079-5

2024. Preparative scalable method for the synthesis of cyclic and acyclic acetals of chloropropiolaldehyde and their transformation into acetals of lithiumpropiolaldehyde. Russian Chemical Bulletin, 73(10).
DOI: 10.1007/s11172-024-4428-y