1. Chemistry Individual Project
Presented by: Edith Lai (13) of F.3A
Compound: Lithium Chloride(LiCl)

2. Electron diagram of LiCl (showing the outermost shell only)
Type of chemical bonding: Ionic Bond
Chemical Formula: LiCl

3. Preparation
Lithium chloride is produced by treatment of lithium carbonate with hydrochloric acid.
Li2CO3 + 2HCl → 2LiCl + CO2 + H2O

4. Physical Properties of LiCl
Hygroscopic(吸水)white crystalline solid
Odorless
Melting point : 605 °C
Boiling point : 1382 °C
Molar mass:42.394g/mol
Density: g/ cm3
Solubility :highly soluble in alcohol and water
(Solubility in 20 °C water :83.2 g/100 mL )
Electrical conductivity: High due to its ionic structure in solution form
Refractive index (nD) 1.662

5. Chemical Properties of LiCl
Stability:  Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Emits toxic fumes of chlorine when heated to decomposition.
pH: Aqueous solution of LiCl is neutral or slightly alkaline
It is highly ionized in solution form.
(Electronic configuration of Li and Cl: 2,1 and 2,8,7)
[They can form ionic compound easily as lithium can donate 1 e- to chlorine in which both of them will obtain stable octet structure.]

6. Applications of LiCl
Used for the production of lithium metal by electrolysis.
 In more specialized applications, lithium chloride finds some use in organic synthesis
(e.g. as an additive in the Stille reaction)
Used to precipitate RNA from cellular extracts in biochemical applications.
Used as a flame colorant  and laboratory reagent.
Used as a desiccant for drying air streams
Used as a relative humidity standard in the calibration of hygrometers.
Used as a brazing flux for aluminium in automobile parts.
Hygrometers
Stille reaction
RNA

7. Potential Health Effects
LiCl might be harmful if swallowed or inhaled.
It will affect the:
central nervous system
respiratory system
muscles and kidneys
It will cause severe irritation(劇烈過敏)to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
Other symptoms:
slurred speech(口齒不清)
blurred vision
heart and brain effects.

8. Handling and storage of LiCl
The following instructions should be followed while storing and handling LiCl:
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Wash thoroughly after handling
Observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product .
Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain residues (dust, solids).

9. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_chloride
“Compound” by Alex Brown