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Lithium oxide

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lithium oxide (Li
2O), or lithia, is an inorganic chemical compound. It is a white or pale yellow solid. Although not specifically important, many materials are assessed on the basis of their Li2O content. For example, the Li2O content of the principal lithium mineral spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) is 8.03%.[2]

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Lithium oxide
__ Li+     __ O2−
Names
IUPAC name
Lithium oxide
Other names
Lithia
Kickerite
Dilithium Monoxide
Dilithium Oxide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.031.823 Edit this at Wikidata
RTECS number
  • OJ6360000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2Li.O/q2*+1;-2 checkY
    Key: FUJCRWPEOMXPAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1S/2Li.O/q2*+1;-2
    Key: FUJCRWPEOMXPAD-UHFFFAOYAW
  • Key: FUJCRWPEOMXPAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [Li+].[Li+].[O-2]
Properties
Li
2O
Molar mass 29.88 g/mol
Appearance white or pale yellow solid
Density 2.013 g/cm3
Melting point 1,438 °C (2,620 °F; 1,711 K)
Boiling point 2,600 °C (4,710 °F; 2,870 K)
Reacts to form LiOH
log P 9.23
1.644 [1]
Structure
Antifluorite (cubic), cF12
Fm3m, No. 225
Tetrahedral (Li+); cubic (O2−)
Thermochemistry
1.8105 J/g K or 54.1 J/mol K
37.89 J/mol K
−20.01 kJ/g or −595.8 kJ/mol
−562.1 kJ/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Corrosive, reacts violently with water
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 1: Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. E.g. calciumSpecial hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acid
3
0
1
W
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions
 Lithium sulfide
Lithium selenide
Lithium telluride
Lithium polonide
Other cations
 Sodium oxide
Potassium oxide
Rubidium oxide
Caesium oxide
Related lithium oxides
 Lithium peroxide
Lithium superoxide
Related compounds
 Lithium hydroxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Production

Burning lithium metal produces lithium oxide.

Lithium oxide forms along with small amounts of lithium peroxide when lithium metal is burned in the air and combines with oxygen at temperatures above 100 °C:[3]

4Li + O
2 → 2Li
2O.

Pure Li
2O can be produced by the thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide, Li
2O
2, at 450 °C[3][2]

2Li
2O
2 → 2Li
2O + O
2

Structure

Solid lithium oxide adopts an antifluorite structure with four-coordinated Li+ centers and eight-coordinated oxides.[4]

The ground state gas phase Li
2O molecule is linear with a bond length consistent with strong ionic bonding.[5][6] VSEPR theory would predict a bent shape similar to H
2O.

Uses

Lithium oxide is used as a flux in ceramic glazes; and creates blues with copper and pinks with cobalt. Lithium oxide reacts with water and steam, forming lithium hydroxide and should be isolated from them.

Reactions

Lithium oxide absorbs carbon dioxide forming lithium carbonate:

Li
2O + CO
2 → Li
2CO
3

The oxide reacts slowly with water, forming lithium hydroxide:

Li
2O + H
2O → 2LiOH

See also

References

External links

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