7580-67-8

A white or translucent crystalline mass or powder. The commercial product is light bluish-gray lumps due to the presence of minute amounts of colloidally dispersed lithium.

LITHIUM HYDRIDE(7580-67-8) is a strong reducing agent. May decompose violently in contact with most oxidizing materials. Reacts exothermically with water to form caustic lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas; the hydrogen may ignite. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Mixtures with liquid oxygen are explosive. Ignites on contact with dinitrogen oxide [Mellor, 1967, vol. 8, suppl. 2.2, p. 214].

Burns readily in air, particularly if powdered. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Reacts rapidly with water to form caustic lithium hydroxide and hydrogen [Bretherick 1979 p. 107].

This material is relatively toxic to people. It is more likely to cause irritation of skin and mucous membrane tissues rather than death. Its effects are primarily acute. A massive exposure to the eyes and by inhalation may be lethal. Those experiencing any ailment of the upper respiratory tract (e.g., bronchitis or pneumonia) are at a greater risk.

Lithium hydride is used in preparation of lithium aluminum hydride; as a desiccant; it is used in hydrogen generators and in organic synthesis as a reducing agent and condensing agent with ketones and acid esters; it is reportedly used in thermonuclear weapons.

In a fire, irritating alkali fumes may form. Lithium hydride can form airborne dust clouds which may explode on contact with flame, heat, or oxidizing materials. Additionally, spontaneous ignition occurs when nitrous oxide and lithium hydride are mixed. Lithium hydride also forms explosive mixtures with liquid oxygen. Contact with heat, moisture or acid causes exothermic reaction and evolution of hydrogen as well as lithium hydroxide. Incompatible with air and moisture, nitrous oxide, strong oxidizers, and liquid oxygen. Lithium hydride may ignite spontaneously in air and should be maintained and handled out of contact with air and moisture. Any contact with nitrous oxide; airborne powders may ignite upon reaching moisture.

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. If victim is conscious, administer water or milk. Do not induce vomiting. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy.

UN1414 Lithium, Hazard Class: 4.3; Labels: 4.3-Dangerous when wet material. UN2805 Lithium hydride, fused solid, Hazard Class: 4.3; Labels: 4.3- Dangerous when wet material

A Strong reducing agent. Incompatible with oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons; acids can cause fire and explosion. Reacts with water, forming caustic lithium hydroxide and flammable hydrogen gas; reaction may cause ignition. May ignite spontaneously in moist air and may reignite after fire is extinguished. Dangerous when wet. Reacts with water to form hydrogen and lithium hydroxide. Powdered form and liquid oxygen form an explosive compound. Decomposes exothermically on contact with acids and upon heating to about 500C, producing flammable hydrogen gas. Reacts with carboxylic acids, lower alcohols; chlorine, and ammonia (at 400C), forming explosive hydrogen gas.

Lithium hydride is an off-white to grayish,translucent, odorless solid or white powder that darkens rapidly on exposure to light. Molecular weight = 7.95; Specificgravity (H2O:1)=0.78; Boiling point = 850℃ (decomposesbelow BP); Freezing/Melting point = 689℃; Autoignitiontemperature = 200℃. Hazard Identification (based onNFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3, Flammability 4,Reactivity 2. A combustible solid that can form airbornedust clouds which may explode on contact with flame, heat,or oxidizers.

Lithium hydride (LiH) is a crystalline salt substance(face-centered cubic) that is white in its pure form, As an engineering material, it has properties of interest in many technologies. For example,the high hydrogen content and light weight of LiH make it useful for neutron shields and moderators in nuclear power plants. In addition, the high heat of fusion combined with light weight make LiH appropriate for heat storage media for solar power plants on satellites and may be used as a heat sink for different applications. Typically, processes for production of LiH involve handling of LiH at temperatures above its meltingpoint (688 DC). Type 304L stainless steel is utilized for many process components handling molten LiH.

Lithium hydride is a typical ionic hydride with lithium cations and hydride anions. Electrolysis of molten material results in formation of lithium metal at the cathode and hydrogen at the anode. The lithium hydride-water reaction, which results in the release of hydrogen gas, is also indicative of a negatively charged hydrogen.

Lithium hydride is an off-white to grayish, translucent, odorless solid or white powder that darkens rapidly on exposure to light.

Lithium hydride may be mixed with sand, sprayed with butanol and then with water, neutralized and flushed to a sewer with water

White crystalline solid; cubic crystals; density 0.82 g/cm³; melts at 686.4°C; decomposes in water; soluble in acids.

lithium hydride: A white solid,LiH; cubic; r.d. 0.82; m.p. 680°C; decomposesat about 850°C. It is producedby direct combination of theelements at temperatures above500°C. The bonding in lithium hydrideis believed to be largely ionic;i.e. Li⁺H^- as supported by the factthat hydrogen is released from theanode on electrolysis of the moltensalt. The compound reacts violentlyand exothermically with water toyield hydrogen and lithium hydroxide.It is used as a reducing agent toprepare other hydrides and the 2Hisotopic compound, lithiumdeuteride, is particularly valuable fordeuterating a range of organic compounds.Lithium hydride has alsobeen used as a shielding material forthermal neutrons.

The product should be handled under an inert atmosphere to avoid contamination and a fire. Powdered lithium hydride burns readily when exposed to the air. However, large pieces of the material are less flammable. Lithium hydride, like other strong bases, is harmful to the skin and should be handled with caution.

It should be a white powder; otherwise replace it. It darkens rapidly on exposure to air and is decomposed by H2O to give H2 and LiOH, and reacts with lower alcohols. One gram in H2O liberates 2.8L of H2 (could be explosive). [D.nges in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I p 987 1963.]