Lithium Oxide Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Lithium oxide, often known as Lithia (Li₂O), is an inorganic chemical generated when lithium hydroxide is thermally dehydrated (LiOH). Lithium oxide is formed when lithium metal (from group 1 of the periodic table) reacts with oxygen (from group 16). It has a molecular mass of 29.88g/mol and is a white solid molecule. When lithium metal is exposed to oxygen, it is oxidized, and traces of lithium peroxides are produced. Lithium oxide has an antifluorite structure in its solid form. We’ll learn more about lithium oxide’s structure and characteristics in this article.

Lithium Oxide Formula

Lithium oxide also lithia is an inorganic compound. It has a molar mass of 29.88 g/mol. It has a solid white appearance. It has a density of 2.013 g/cm³ and it is used as a coolant in nuclear reactors. 

Lithium oxide is produced from lithium peroxide and is also produced from the thermal dehydration of lithium hydroxide. It is also called Kickerite. It is used in the making of ceramics. It reacts with water violently and forms LiOH (Lithium hydroxide). It is good thermal conductivity. Lithium-containing metal oxides like LiCoO₂ are used as a cathode for lithium-ion batteries. More exposure of lithium oxide cause irritation, severe burns on the skin, and even blindness. 

Li₂O is the chemical formula of lithium oxide. It consists of two lithium atoms and one oxygen atom. Li symbol stands for lithium and the O symbol stands for oxygen. lithium atoms react with one oxygen atom. Each lithium atom gives one electron to the oxygen atom.

Structure of Lithium Oxide

Lithium Oxide (Li₂O) is a combination of two atoms Li and O. 2[Li⁺] [O₂⁻] is the Ionic formula of lithium oxide. The structure of Li₂O is shown below:

Lithium Oxide Structure

Preparation of Lithium Oxide 

• It formed when lithium metal burned in the presence of the atmosphere, and oxygen to produce Lithium Oxide as,

4Li+O₂ → 2Li₂O

• It is produced when lithium peroxide is heated at 300˚C to 400˚C, by thermal decomposition. The purest form of lithium oxide can be produced with lithium peroxide by thermal decomposition at 450˚C.

2Li₂O₂ → 2Li₂O + O₂

• Lithium oxide can also be formed when lithium hydroxide is dehydrated.

Physical Properties of Lithium Oxide 

• Lithium oxide is a white crystalline solid.
• It has a molar mass of 29.88 g/mol and its density is 2.013 g/cm³.
• Moreover, it’s melting and boiling point is 1438°C and 2600°C. 
• It is a strong base and its crystal structure is cubic anti-fluorite.
• Also, it is soluble in water and when we dissolve it in water it forms lithium hydroxide.

Chemical Properties

• Li₂O molecule is linear in the gaseous phase,
• Lithium oxide can form lithium carbonate by absorbing carbon dioxide,

Li₂O + CO₂ → Li₂CO₂

• Lithium oxide reacts with water, by forming lithium hydroxide,

Li₂O + H₂O  → 2LiOH

Harmful effects of Lithium Oxide

Lithium oxide is very corrosive. When the toxic fumes are inhaled it causes irritation in the respiratory tract. 

Long exposure to it can cause damage to the central nervous system. 

Swallowing will cause a strong corrosive impact on the mouth and throat and to the risk of perforation of the esophagus and stomach. 

Skin irritation causes extreme skin burns. 

Uses of Lithium Oxide

• It is used as a thermal barrier coating system.
• Lithium oxide is used in nuclear reactors as a coolant. 
• It is used in the manufacturing of greases as a thickening agent.
• It forms lithium hydroxide when lithium oxide reacts with water.
• Lithium oxide is used in ceramic glazes as a flux.
• Lithium-containing metal oxides like LiCoO₂ are used as a cathode for lithium-ion batteries.
• Lithium metal can be obtained by electrolysis of lithium oxide, leaving oxygen as a by-product.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Why Lithium oxide is toxic?

Answer:

Lithium oxide is corrosive. Acute exposure can result in metal fume fever. Chronic exposure to dust can lead to manganism, a disease of the central nervous system, characterized by psychic and neurological disorders. More exposure to lithium oxide chemicals can cause kidney damage. It is corrosive to skin and other metals, and it is toxic when consumed in large enough quantities, and on burning it releases toxic vapors.

Question 2: Is lithium harmful to humans? 

Answer: 

At 10 mg/L of blood, a person is mildly lithium poisoned. At 15 mg/L they experience confusion and speech impairment, and at 20 mg/L Li, there is a risk of death. A provisional recommended daily intake of 14.3 micro/kg body weight lithium for a grown-up has been recommended. 

A few indications of lithium poisonousness are its incidental effects, yet at the same more serious. Side effects of lithium poisonousness incorporate extreme sickness and retching, serious hand quakes, disarray, and vision changes. Assuming you experience these, you ought to look for guaranteed clinical thoughtfulness regarding checking your lithium levels.

Question 3: How does lithium smell like?

Answer:

Lithium is a soft, silver to greyish-white (or yellow if exposed to air), odorless metal, crystalline mass, or powder. Some Facts about Lithium are,

• Despite the fact that it is a metal, it is sufficiently delicate to cut with a blade.
• It is so light it can drift on the water.
• Lithium fires are hard to put out.
• Alongside hydrogen and helium, lithium was one of the three components delivered in enormous amounts by the Big Bang.

Question 4: What is lithium utilized in regular day-to-day existence?

Answer: 

The main utilization of lithium is in rechargeable batteries for cell phones, workstations, computerized cameras, and electric vehicles. Lithium is likewise utilized in a few non-battery-powered batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and clocks. It also has many medicinal purposes. it is used as a mood stabilizer and also used for bipolar disorder. Lithium has positive effects in depression and suicide prevention, cognition, and reducing the incidence of dementia.

Question 5: For what reason is lithium so special?

Answer:

Lithium is an extraordinary metal in numerous ways. It’s light and delicate,  so delicate that it very well may be cut with a kitchen blade thus low in thickness that it floats on water. It’s additionally strong at a wide scope of temperatures, with one of the most minimal softening places of all metals and a high edge of boiling point.

And moreover, its overwhelming use for the prophylaxis of repetitive insanity and depression, lithium carbonate has been proposed and attempted in the prophylactic treatment of strangely prolonged sleep episodes including Kleine-Levin disorder.