Lithium Bromide Formula: Structure, Characteristics, Production and Uses

Lithium Bromide is a compound of lithium and bromide which is ionic in nature. Lithium Monobromide formula or Bromo Lithium formula are the other names from which the Lithium Bromide formula is known. In the lithium salt the counterion is bromide. The anhydrous salt of lithium bromide leads to formation of cubic crystals which are identical to Sodium chloride i.e., normal salt. It then becomes a bromide salt as well as lithium salt. This compound is preferable for desiccant in the air conditioning systems, because it is extremely hygroscopic.

Also Read: Sodium Bromide 

Key Terms: Catalyst, hydroformylation, hygroscopic, ionic bond, anion, catalytic dehydrohalogenation, organic solvents, alkali metal, aqueous solution 

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Lithium Bromide 

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Lithium Bromide is a lithium salt which includes counterion bromide. The anhydrous salt leads to formation of cubic crystals. These cubic crystals are similar to common salt. The chemical formula for Lithium Bromide is LiBr. It is synthesised by treating lithium carbonate with hydrobromic acid. In this process, hydrobromic acid and lithium hydroxide precipitate lithium bromide when they are in the presence of water.

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Structure of Lithium Bromide

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An ionic bond is formed in lithium bromide by transferring an electron from lithium to bromine. Because lithium donates an electron, it gets a positive charge i.e., L+ and forms a cation. On the other hand, the bromine accepts an electron and forms an anion. Therefore, it gets a negative charge i.e., Br-. The crystal structure of lithium bromide is cubic.

Structure of Lithium Bromide

Also Read: Classification of Organic Compounds

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Characteristics of Lithium Bromide

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The physical and chemical characteristics of Lithium Bromide are as follows:

• The chemical formula for lithium bromide is LiBr.
• The molecular weight of lithium bromide is 86.845 g/ mol.
• The boiling point of lithium bromide is 1,265 °C, whereas the melting point is 552 °C.
• The density of lithium bromide is 3.464 g/ cm3. 
• Lithium bromide is a hygroscopic white solid.
• This compound is soluble in water. The solubility of lithium bromide increases in water as the temperature starts increasing.
• Lithium Bromide is inflammable.
• Polar organic compounds like cellulose can dissolve in lithium bromide.
• The nature of this compound is stable and it does not react easily.
• It is anhydrous and hence it leads to formation of cubic crystals like NaCl.
• Reaction of chlorine with lithium bromide reacts with the chlorine molecules which in turn forms lithium chloride salt as well as bromine gas. The reaction is as follows:

Cl₂ + 2LiBr \(\rightarrow\) Br₂ + 2LiCl

When lithium bromide reacts with silver nitrate, it forms lithium nitrate and silver bromide.

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How is Lithium Bromide produced?

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Lithium Bromide is produced by many methods. Some of those most commonly used methods are as follows:

1. The lithium bromide can be produced by the reaction of lithium carbonate and hydrobromic acid. The reaction for the same are as follows:

Li₂CO₃ + 2HBr → 2LiBr + H₂CO₃

2. The lithium bromide can also be produced by the reaction of lithium hydroxide with aqueous solution hydrogen bromide or hydrobromic acid as it is commonly called. The reaction for the same is given below:

LiOH + HBr → LiBr + H₂O

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Uses of Lithium Bromide

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The uses of Lithium Bromide can be seen in many fields. Some of its uses are as follows:

• The most common use of Lithium Bromide is in air conditioning machines. It is used as a desiccant in air conditioners, because it is hygroscopic in nature. Lithium bromide is used with water which leads to chilling in air conditioners. 
• It is utilised in the synthesis of many organic compounds. 
• Lithium Bromide can be used in pharmaceuticals in the synthesis of many drugs in the industry. 
• Inorganic compounds such as lithium chloride can be produced by using lithium bromide. 
• To treat bipolar disorder, lithium chloride and lithium bromide are used. 
• In synthesis of olefins for catalytic dehydrohalogenation, lithium bromide is used.
• In refrigerators, it is used as a non-CFC alternative because of its hygroscopic nature. Lithium Bromide can easily absorb excess vapour. Therefore, it makes the mechanism environment friendly. 
• In emulsions, lithium bromide is used as a soluble in ether and other organic solvents. 

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Things to Remember

• Lithium Bromide is a compound which is made up of Lithium and Bromide and is ionic in nature. 
• Lithium Bromide is also known as Lithium Monobromide or Bromolithium. 
• An ionic bond is formed in lithium bromide by transferring an electron from lithium to bromine. Because lithium donates an electron, it gets a positive charge i.e., L+ and forms a cation.
• The lithium bromide is used in air conditioner machines as desiccant. It helps to lower down the temperature and gives a chilling effect. 
•  Lithium donates an electron and gets a positive charge i.e., L+ and forms a cation. The bromine accepts an electron and forms an anion in the compound. Therefore, it gets a negative charge i.e.,Br-. Therefore, the crystal structure of lithium bromide is cubic.

Also Read: Periodic Classifications of Elements 

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