Lithium Chloride(LiCl) Properties (25 Facts You Should Know)

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Lithium Chloride, also known as Chlorolithium, is an ionic compound (with certain covalent characteristics). Let us study the different properties of Lithium Chloride.

Lithium Chloride is a hygroscopic crystalline salt used mainly in manufacturing metallic Lithium as an electrolyte, as a brazing flux for aluminum, and aqueous solution form. It is used for controlling humidity in the air conditioning industry.

We are discussing the chemical formula, polarity, color, viscosity, melting point, and many more properties of Lithium Chloride.

Lithium Chloride IUPAC name

The IUPAC name (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) of LiCl is Lithium Chloride.

Lithium Chloride chemical formula

The chemical formula for Lithium Chloride is LiCl.

Lithium Chloride CAS number

Lithium Chloride has the CAS registry number (numeric identifier which can contain up to 10 digits) 7447-41-8.

Lithium Chloride ChemSpider ID

Lithium Chloride has the ChemSpider ID (a free chemical structure database) 22449.

Lithium Chloride chemical classification

  • LiCl is a neutral ionic compound.
  • LiCl shows certain covalent properties due to the exceptionally small size of the Lithium metal cation (Li+) in the alkali metal series.
  • LiCl is readily soluble in non-polar solvents like acetone.

Lithium Chloride molar mass

The molar mass of LiCl is 42.39g/mol.

Lithium Chloride color

Lithium Chloride is a colorless crystal or white solid.

Lithium Chloride viscosity

LiCl has a viscosity of 0.87cP(centipoise) at 807° Celsius.

Lithium Chloride molar density

The molar density of LiCl is 0.0207mol/cm3 because it has a density of 2.07 g/cm3.

Lithium Chloride melting point

The melting point of LiCl is 605-6140 C or 878-887 K.

Lithium Chloride boiling point

Lithium Chloride has a boiling point of 13820 C or 1655 k.

Lithium Chloride state at room temperature

LiCl exists as a solid at room temperature because it has a melting point higher than at room temperature.

Lithium Chloride ionic bond

LiCl is a normal ionic compound. It is formed when an electron transfers from a metal ion to a non-metal ion. Li is an alkali metal, and Chlorine (Cl) is a non-metal and has the electrostatic force of attraction between Lithium cation (Li+) and Chlorine anion (Cl–), thus forming an ionic bond.

Lithium Chloride ionic/covalent radius

The ionic radius of LiCl, like any compound, cannot be determined since the ionic radius can only be calculated for a single atom.

Lithium Chloride Electronic Configuration

The distribution or arrangement of electrons in different atomic or molecular orbitals (s, p, d, and f) of an element is defined as the electronic configuration of that element.

  • The electronic configuration of Lithium (Li) is = 1s2, 2s1, with only one electron in the valence shell.
  • The electronic configuration of Chlorine (Cl) is = [Ne] 3s2 3p5, with only one electron needed to complete the octet rule.

Lithium Chloride oxidation state

The overall oxidation state of LiCl is neutral.

  • The oxidation number of Lithium is +1
  • The oxidation number of Chlorine is -1

Lithium Chloride acidity/alkaline

LiCl is a neutral salt which means it is neither acidic nor basic. LiCl is prepared from a strong base (LiOH) and a strong acid (HCl), which produce a neutral solution, and the pH will be 7.

Is Lithium Chloride odorless?

Lithium Chloride solution is odorless.

Is Lithium Chloride paramagnetic?

Paramagnetic compounds are attracted toward the magnetic field as they contain one or more unpaired electrons in their orbitals. Let us see whether LiCl is paramagnetic or not.

LiCl is diamagnetic because it does not contain unpaired electrons in the valence shell of the alkali metal cation (Li+).

Lithium Chloride hydrates

The crystal of LiCl contains water molecules and forms hydrates, LiCl.nH2O, in which ‘n’ can be 1,2,3 moles of water (mono, tri, and pentahydrates of it are known) because of its hygroscopic nature.

Lithium Chloride crystal structure

LiCl is an ionic crystal with a cubic crystal structure with cubic lattice parameters.

Lithium Chloride polarity and conductivity

  • LiCl is neither a polar molecule nor a non-polar molecule (the polarity difference is greater than 2 between Lithium and chlorine ions); it is an ionic molecule.
  • LiCl is a strong electrolyte and conducts electricity in aqueous form(complete dissociate in Li+ and Cl- that contains electric charge). However, it is a non-conductor in solid form as no free ions are present to carry an electric charge.

Lithium Chloride reaction with acid

LiCl reacts with acids. For example, it reacts with sulphuric acid and forms Lithium Sulphate and Hydrogen Chloride as products. The chemical reaction is given below:

2LiCl + H2SO4  → 2HCl + Li2SO4

Lithium Chloride reaction with base

LiCl can react with a base. For example, it can combine with Sodium Hydroxide and yield Lithium Hydroxide and sodium Chloride products. The chemical reaction is given below:

LiCl + NaOH → LiOH + NaCl

Lithium Chloride reaction with oxide

LiCl reacts with Oxides like iron (iii) Oxide to give Ferric Chloride and Lithium Oxide. The chemical reaction is given below:

Fe2O3 + 6LiCl → 2FeCl3 + 3Li2O

Lithium Chloride reaction with a metal

LiCl reacts with metals like sodium (Na) to yield sodium Chloride and Lithium. The chemical reaction is given below:

LiCl + Na → NaCl + Cl

Lithium Chloride exists in different forms that include anhydrous, hydrated salt, and aqueous solutions. It has hygroscopic properties and is deliquescent in nature, as LiCl crystallizes as a hydrate. It has a sharp, saline taste. LiCl is an ionic substance.