Lithium oxide (O), or lithia, is an inorganic chemical compound. It is a white or pale yellow solid. Although not specifically important, many materials are assessed on the basis of their Li2O content. For example, the Li2O content of the principal lithium mineral spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) is 8.03%.
Production
Lithium oxide forms along with small amounts of lithium peroxide when lithium metal is burned in the air and combines with oxygen at temperatures above 100 °C: 4Li + → 2. Pure can be produced by the thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide, , at 450 °CWietelmann, Ulrich and Bauer, Richard J. (2005) "Lithium and Lithium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH: Weinheim. . 2 → 2 +
Structure Solid lithium oxide adopts an antifluorite structure with four-coordinated Li+ centers and eight-coordinated oxides.
The ground state gas phase molecule is linear with a bond length consistent with strong ionic bonding.Wells A. F. (1984) Structural Inorganic Chemistry 5th edition Oxford Science Publications A spectroscopic determination of the bond length of the LiOLi molecule: Strong ionic bonding, D. Bellert, W. H. Breckenridge, J. Chem. Phys. 114, 2871 (2001); VSEPR theory would predict a bent shape similar to .
Uses Lithium oxide is used as a flux in ceramic glazes; and creates blues with copper and pinks with cobalt. Lithium oxide reacts with water and steam, forming lithium hydroxide and should be isolated from them.
Reactions Lithium oxide absorbs carbon dioxide forming lithium carbonate: + →
The oxide reacts slowly with water, forming lithium hydroxide: + → 2
See also Lithium monoxide anion Lithium peroxide Lithium cobalt oxide Lithium-oxide memristor
References
External links CeramicMaterials.Info entry