Nomenclature
CAS number: 7580-67-8
HLi; mol wt 7.95.
H 12.68%, Li 87.31%.
LiH.
Description and references
Prepd by the direct combination of hydrogen
and lithium: Gibb, Trans. Electrochem. Soc. 93, 198-211 (1948). Review of prepn and properties:
Truter in Mellor's vol.
II, supplement II, The Alkali Metals (part 1) 131-145
(1961).
Properties
Cubic crystals, darkens rapidly on exposure to
light, the commercial product is usually gray. mp 680°. d 0.76-0.77. Dangerous when wet. No solvent known. Rapidly dec in water to form lithium hydroxide
and hydrogen. Reacts with the lower alcohols, carboxylic acids, chlorine,
and ammonia at 400° to liberate hydrogen.Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are irritation and burns of eyes and skin; burns of mouth and esophagus
(if ingested); nausea; muscle twitches; mental confusion; blurred
vision. See NIOSH Pocket Guide
to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 186.Use
Reducing agent; condensing agent with ketones and
acid esters; desiccant; in hydrogen generators; 1 g in water liberates ≈2.8
liters of hydrogen at STP.