Lithium hydroxide

Lithium hydroxide
	; Li+ O2− H+
Names
	IUPAC name Lithium hydroxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	1310-65-2 ; 1310-66-3 (monohydrate) ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:33979 ;
ChemSpider	3802 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.013.804
Gmelin Reference	68415
PubChem CID	3939;
RTECS number	OJ6307070;
UNII	903YL31JAS ; G51XLP968G (monohydrate) ;
UN number	2680
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID70893845 ;
	show InChI
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Properties
Chemical formula	LiOH
Molar mass	23.95 g/mol (anhydrous); 41.96 g/mol (monohydrate);
Appearance	Hygroscopic white solid;
Odor	none
Density	1.46 g/cm3 (anhydrous); 1.51 g/cm3 (monohydrate);
Melting point	462 °C (864 °F; 735 K)
Boiling point	924 °C (1,695 °F; 1,197 K) decomposes
Solubility in water	(anhydrous:); 12.7 g/100 mL (0 °C); 12.8 g/100 mL (20 °C); 17.5 g/100 mL (100 °C); ; (monohydrate:); 22.3 g/100 mL (10 °C); 26.8 g/100 mL (80 °C);
Solubility in methanol	9.76 g/100 g (anhydrous; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing); ; 13.69 g/100 g (monohydrate; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing);
Solubility in ethanol	2.36 g/100 g (anhydrous; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing); ; 2.18 g/100 g (monohydrate; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing);
Solubility in isopropanol	0 g/100 g (anhydrous; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing); ; 0.11 g/100 g (monohydrate; 20 °C, 48 hours mixing);
Basicity (pKb)	−0.04
Conjugate base	Lithium monoxide anion
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−12.3·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.464 (anhydrous); ; 1.460 (monohydrate);
Thermochemistry
Heat capacity (C)	2.071 J/g⋅K
Std enthalpy of; formation (ΔfH⦵298)	−20.36 kJ/g
Hazards
Main hazards	Corrosive
Safety data sheet	"ICSC 0913".; "ICSC 0914". (monohydrate)
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 0 0
Flash point	Non-flammable
	Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	210 mg/kg (oral, rat)
Related compounds
Other anions	Lithium amide
Other cations	Sodium hydroxide; Potassium hydroxide; Rubidium hydroxide; Caesium hydroxide
Related compounds	Lithium oxide
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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	Infobox references

Lithium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula LiOH^.(H₂O)_n. Both the anhydrous and hydrated forms are white hygroscopic solids. They are soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. Both are available commercially. While classified as a strong base, lithium hydroxide is the weakest known alkali metal hydroxide.

Production[]

The preferred feedstock is hard-rock spodumene, where the lithium content is expressed as % lithium oxide.

Lithium carbonate route[]

Lithium hydroxide is often produced industrially from lithium carbonate in a metathesis reaction with calcium hydroxide:^[5]

Li₂CO₃ + Ca(OH)₂ → 2 LiOH + CaCO₃

The initially produced hydrate is dehydrated by heating under vacuum up to 180 °C.

Lithium sulfate route[]

An alternative route involves the intermediacy of lithium sulfate:^[6]^[7]

α-spodumene → β-spodumene

β-spodumene + CaO → Li₂O + ...

Li₂O + H₂SO₄ → Li₂SO₄ + H₂O

Li₂SO₄ + 2 NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2 LiOH.

The main by-products are gypsum and sodium sulphate, which have some market value.

Commercial setting[]

According to Bloomberg, Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd.^[8] (GFL or Ganfeng)^[9] and Albemarle were the largest producers in 2020 with around 25kt/y, followed by Livent Corporation (FMC) and SQM.^[8] Significant new capacity is planned, to keep pace with demand driven by vehicle electrification. Ganfeng are to expand lithium chemical capacity to 85,000 tons, adding the capacity leased from Jiangte, Ganfeng will become the largest lithium hydroxide producer globally in 2021.^[8]

Albemarle's Kemerton WA plant, originally planned to deliver 100kt/y has been scaled back to 50kt/yy.^[10]

in 2023 AVZ Minerals,^[11] an Australian company, are planning to produce the battery-grade high-purity Primary Lithium Sulphate (PLS) containing over 80% Lithium.^[12] PLS is a lithium chemical new to the market in the production of lithium hydroxide (a precursor to lithium-ion battery).

In 2020 Tianqi Lithium's, plant in Kwinana, Western Australia is the largest producer, with a capacity of 48kt/y.^[13]

Applications[]

Lithium ion batteries[]

Lithium hydroxide is mainly consumed in the production of cathode materials for lithium ion batteries such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) and lithium iron phosphate. It is preferred over lithium carbonate as a precursor for lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides.^[14]

Grease[]

A popular lithium grease thickener is Lithium 12-hydroxystearate, which produces a general-purpose lubricating grease due to its high resistance to water and usefulness at a range of temperatures.

Carbon dioxide scrubbing[]

Lithium hydroxide is used in breathing gas purification systems for spacecraft, submarines, and rebreathers to remove carbon dioxide from exhaled gas by producing lithium carbonate and water:^[15]

2 LiOH•H₂O + CO₂ → Li₂CO₃ + 3 H₂O

or

2 LiOH + CO₂ → Li₂CO₃ + H₂O

The latter, anhydrous hydroxide, is preferred for its lower mass and lesser water production for respirator systems in spacecraft. One gram of anhydrous lithium hydroxide can remove 450 cm³ of carbon dioxide gas. The monohydrate loses its water at 100–110 °C.

Precursor[]

Lithium hydroxide, together with lithium carbonate, is a key intermediates used for the production of other lithium compounds, illustrated by its use in the production of lithium fluoride:^[5]

LiOH + HF → LiF + H₂O.

Other uses[]

It is also used in ceramics and some Portland cement formulations. Lithium hydroxide (isotopically enriched in lithium-7) is used to alkalize the reactor coolant in pressurized water reactors for corrosion control.^[16] It is good radiation protection against free neutrons.

Price[]

In 2012, the price of lithium hydroxide was about $5-6/kg.^[17]

In December 2020 it had risen to $9/kg^[18]

On 18 March 2021 the price has risen to US$11.50/kg^[19]

References[]

^ Lide, David R., ed. (2006). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0487-3.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Khosravi J (2007). Production of Lithium Peroxide and Lithium Oxide in an Alcohol Medium. Chapter 9: Results. ISBN 978-0-494-38597-5.
^ Popov K, Lajunen LH, Popov A, Rönkkömäki H, Hannu-Kuure H, Vendilo A (2002). "⁷Li, ²³Na, ³⁹K and ¹³³Cs NMR comparative equilibrium study of alkali metal cation hydroxide complexes in aqueous solutions. First numerical value for CsOH formation". Inorganic Chemistry Communications. 5 (3): 223–225. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
^ Chambers M. "ChemIDplus – 1310-65-2 – WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M – Lithium hydroxide anhydrous – Similar structures search, synonyms, formulas, resource links, and other chemical information". chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Wietelmann U, Bauer RJ (2000). Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a15_393.
^ "Proposed Albemarle Plant Site" (PDF). Albemarle. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
^ "Corporate presentation" (PDF). Nemaska Lithium. May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "China's Ganfeng to Be Largest Lithium Hydroxide Producer". BloombergNEF. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
^ "Ganfeng Lithium Group". . Retrieved 25 March 2021.
^ Stephens, Kate; Lynch, Jacqueline (27 August 2020). "Slowing demand for lithium sees WA's largest refinery scaled back". www.abc.net.au.
^ "AVZ Minerals Limited". . Retrieved 25 March 2021.
^ "Metallurgical test work confirms Manono Primary Lithium Sulphate suitable for battery production Feedstock". . 13 January 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
^ "Largest of its kind lithium hydroxide plant launched in Kwinana". Government of Western Australia. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
^ Barrera, Priscilla (27 June 2019). "Will Lithium Hydroxide Really Overtake Lithium Carbonate? | INN". Investing News Network. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
^ Jaunsen JR (1989). "The Behavior and Capabilities of Lithium Hydroxide Carbon Dioxide Scrubbers in a Deep Sea Environment". US Naval Academy Technical Report. USNA-TSPR-157. Archived from the original on 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
^ Managing Critical Isotopes: Stewardship of Lithium-7 Is Needed to Ensure a Stable Supply, GAO-13-716 // U.S. Government Accountability Office, 19 September 2013; pdf
^ "Lithium Prices 2012". investingnews.com. Investing News Network. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
^ "London Metal Exchange: Lithium prices". London metal exchange. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
^ "LITHIUM AT THE LME". . 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.

External links[]

International Chemical Safety Card 0913 (anhydrous)
International Chemical Safety Card 0914 (monohydrate)

[1] Lide, David R., ed. (2006). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0487-3.

[Khosravi-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Khosravi J (2007). Production of Lithium Peroxide and Lithium Oxide in an Alcohol Medium. Chapter 9: Results. ISBN 978-0-494-38597-5.

[3] Popov K, Lajunen LH, Popov A, Rönkkömäki H, Hannu-Kuure H, Vendilo A (2002). "⁷Li, ²³Na, ³⁹K and ¹³³Cs NMR comparative equilibrium study of alkali metal cation hydroxide complexes in aqueous solutions. First numerical value for CsOH formation". Inorganic Chemistry Communications. 5 (3): 223–225. Retrieved 21 January 2017.

[4] Chambers M. "ChemIDplus – 1310-65-2 – WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M – Lithium hydroxide anhydrous – Similar structures search, synonyms, formulas, resource links, and other chemical information". chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 12 April 2018.

[Ullmann-5] Jump up to: ^a ^b Wietelmann U, Bauer RJ (2000). Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a15_393.

[6] "Proposed Albemarle Plant Site" (PDF). Albemarle. Retrieved 4 December 2020.

[7] "Corporate presentation" (PDF). Nemaska Lithium. May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2020.

[:0-8] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "China's Ganfeng to Be Largest Lithium Hydroxide Producer". BloombergNEF. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.

[9] "Ganfeng Lithium Group". . Retrieved 25 March 2021.

[10] Stephens, Kate; Lynch, Jacqueline (27 August 2020). "Slowing demand for lithium sees WA's largest refinery scaled back". www.abc.net.au.

[11] "AVZ Minerals Limited". . Retrieved 25 March 2021.

[12] "Metallurgical test work confirms Manono Primary Lithium Sulphate suitable for battery production Feedstock". . 13 January 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.

[13] "Largest of its kind lithium hydroxide plant launched in Kwinana". Government of Western Australia. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020.

[14] Barrera, Priscilla (27 June 2019). "Will Lithium Hydroxide Really Overtake Lithium Carbonate? | INN". Investing News Network. Retrieved 5 December 2020.

[15] Jaunsen JR (1989). "The Behavior and Capabilities of Lithium Hydroxide Carbon Dioxide Scrubbers in a Deep Sea Environment". US Naval Academy Technical Report. USNA-TSPR-157. Archived from the original on 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2008-06-17.

[16] Managing Critical Isotopes: Stewardship of Lithium-7 Is Needed to Ensure a Stable Supply, GAO-13-716 // U.S. Government Accountability Office, 19 September 2013; pdf

[17] "Lithium Prices 2012". investingnews.com. Investing News Network. Retrieved 12 April 2018.

[18] "London Metal Exchange: Lithium prices". London metal exchange. Retrieved 4 December 2020.

[19] "LITHIUM AT THE LME". . 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.

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show v t Lithium compounds
Inorganic	CsLiB₆O₁₀ CLBO Li₂ Dilithium LiAlCl₄ Tetrachloroaluminate Li_1+xAl_xGe_2-x(PO₄)₃ LAGP/LAGPO LiAlH₄ Aluminium hydride LiAlO₂ Aluminate LiB(C₆F₅)₄ Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate LiBF₄ Tetrafluoroborate LiBH₄ Borohydride LiBO₂ Metaborate LiB₃O₅ Triborate Li₂B₄O₇ Borate/Tetraborate LiBr Bromide Li₂C₂ Carbide LiCF₃SO₃ Triflate LiCH₃O Methoxide LiCN Cyanide Li₂CO₃ Carbonate Li₂C₂O₄ Oxalate LiCl Chloride LiClO Hypochlorite LiClO₃ Chlorate LiClO₄ Perchlorate LiCoO₂ Oxide LiF Fluoride FLiBe FLiNaK LiFePO₄ Iron phosphate/LFP LiGaH₄ Tetrahydridogallate Li₂GeF₆ Hexafluorogermanate LiH Hydride LiHCO₃ Bicarbonate LiHe Helium LiI Iodide LiIO₃ Iodate Li₂IrO₃ Iridate Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ Lanthanum zirconium oxide Li₂MoO₄ Molybdate Li_0.9Mo₆O₁₇ LiN₃ Azide Li₃N Nitride LiNH₂ Amide Li₂NH Imide LiNO₂ Nitrite LiNO₃ Nitrate LiNbO₃ Niobate LiO⁻ Monoxide LiO₂ Superoxide Li₂O Oxide Li₂O₂ Peroxide LiOH Hydroxide LiPF₆ Hexafluorophosphate Li₂Po Polonide Li₂PtO₃ Platinate Li₂RuO₃ Ruthenate Li₂S Sulfide Li₂SO₃ Sulfite Li₂SO₄ Sulfate Li₂Se Selenide Li₄SiO₄ Orthosilicate Li₂SiO₃ Metasilicate Li₂Si₂O₅ Disilicate LiTaO₃ Tantalate Li₂TiO₃ Titanate Li₂WO₄ Tungstate LiYF₄ Fluoride Neodymium-doped
Organic	Hemolithin (extraterrestrial protein) Organolithium reagents Gilman reagent CH₃COOLi Acetate C₄H₆LiNO₄ Aspartate LiC₂F₆NO₄S₂ LiTFSI LiN(SiMe₃)₂ LiHMDS Li₃C₆H₅O₇ Citrate C₅H₅Li Cyclopentadienide LiN(C₃H₇)₂ Diisopropylamide (C₆H₅)₂PLi Diphenylphosphide C₁₈H₃₅LiO₃ 12-Hydroxystearate C₆H₁₃Li n-Hexyllithium C₄H₉Li n-Butyllithium CH₃CHLiCH₂CH₃ sec-Butyllithium (CH₃)₃CLi tert-Butyllithium C₁₂H₂₈BLi L-selectride CH₃Li Methyllithium Li⁺C₁₀H₈⁻ Naphthalene C₅H₁₁Li Neopentyllithium C₅H₃LiN₂O₄ Orotate C₆H₅Li Phenyllithium LiC₂CH₃ Propynyllithium LiO₂C(CH₂)₁₆CH₃ Stearate C₄H₅LiO₄ Succinate LiEt₃BH Superhydride LiOC(CH₃)₃ tert-Butoxide C₉H₁₈LiN Tetramethylpiperidide LiC₂H₃ Vinyllithium
Minerals	Amblygonite Elbaite Eucryptite LiAlSiO₄ Faizievite Fluor-liddicoatite Hectorite Jadarite LiNaSiB₃O₇OH Lepidolite Lithiophilite LiMnPO₄ Lithiophosphate Li₃PO₄ Nambulite Neptunite Petalite LiAlSi₄0₁₀ Pezzottaite Cs(Be₂Li)Al₂Si₆O₁₈ Saliotite Spodumene LiAl(SiO₃)₂ Sugilite Tourmaline Triphylite LiFePO₄ Zabuyelite Li₂CO₃ Zektzerite Zinnwaldite
Hypothetical	Lithium beryllide Li_xBe_y
Miscellaneous	Aluminium–lithium alloys Heteroatom-promoted lateral lithiation LB buffer Lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxides Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides Lithium soap Lucifer yellow Magnesium–lithium alloys NASICON

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