Chemical Properties
White to pale yellow powder
General Description
A white powder or sandy yellow granular solid. Irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used to produce a supply of high-purity oxygen.
Reactivity Profile
LITHIUM PEROXIDE(12031-80-0) is strongly basic and an extremely powerful oxidizing agent. Accelerates the combustion of other materials, especially organic materials, involved in a fire. Can ignite wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc. on contact. May react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). Exposure to heat in a closed container may result in a vigorous reaction that violently ruptures the container.
Air & Water Reactions
Contact with water or moist air generates a large amount of heat and corrosive, alkaline lithium hydroxide [AAR 1991].
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Toxic fumes or dust may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
May explode from friction, heat or contamination. These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Uses
At this time no important industrial uses of lithium peroxide are known. One interesting potential application is in the field of atmosphere regeneration for undersea and space applications, since the compound reacts with carbon dioxide to release oxygen: Li2O2+C02 -> Li2CO3 + 0.5O2.
Uses
Lithium peroxide is used in air purifiers. It is also used to produce high-purity oxygen. It acts as a catalyst for polymerization of styrene to polystyrene. Further, it serves as a curing agent for special polymers and a source of oxygen in sealed spaces such as submarines and in breathing apparatus.
Preparation
Lithium peroxide is prepared industrially by the reaction of lithium hydroxide monohydrate with hydrogen peroxide which yields lithium hydroperoxide monohydrate.
LiOH·H20 + H202 → LiOOH·H20+H20
The hydroperoxide may be dehydrated by heating in a vacuum to yield the peroxide.
2LiOOH·H20 → Li202+H202 + 2H20
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
