Nomenclature
CAS number: 7782-89-0
Lithamide.
H
2LiN; mol wt 22.96.
H 8.78%, Li 30.23%, N 61.00%.
LiNH
2.
Description and references
Prepd from Li + NH3: Titherley, J. Chem. Soc. 65, 517 (1894);
Ruff, Geisel Ber. 39, 840 (1906); 44, 505 (1911); Campbell et al., Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci. 50, 123 (1940); Schenk in Handbook
of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G.
Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) p 463. See also Inorg. Synth. 2, 135. Crystal structure: Juza, Opp, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 266, 313 (1951).
Properties
Tetragonal crystal structure, d 1.18. mp 380-400°. Sublimes in NH3 current.
When heated in vacuo to 450°, NH3 is given
off and Li2NH forms, which dec ≈750-800°. Heat of formation:
42 kcal/mole at 18° and 760 mm Hg. Stable in air-tight containers
at room temp. Dec by water to form LiOH + NH3, slowly
when in lumps, faster as the particle size decreases. Insol in anhydr
ether, benzene, toluene.Use
In Claisen condensations, alkylation of nitriles
and ketones, synthesis of ethynyl compds, acetylenic carbinols.