Making lithium hydroxide

TL;DR

This video demonstrates the process of making lithium hydroxide, which is a weak but useful base with applications in drug production and as a CO2 scrubber.

Transcript

okay so today we're going to be making some lithium hydroxide it is a strong Alkali metal hydroxide which is a base out of all of the other hydroxides which are based on alkali metals like potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide lithium hydroxide is the weakest in terms of its basicity although it's the weakest it still does have its own unique pr... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤘 Lithium hydroxide is the weakest alkali metal hydroxide in terms of basicity, but it has unique applications as a CO2 scrubber and precursor in drug production.
• 🫢 The video showcases the process of making lithium hydroxide through the reaction of lithium metal with water, which produces lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
• 💦 Two methods of purification are demonstrated: boiling off the water and precipitating lithium hydroxide with isopropyl alcohol.
• 🫢 Proper ventilation and caution are necessary due to the production of hydrogen gas and the potential reaction with carbon dioxide in the air during purification.
• 😚 The yield of lithium hydroxide can be close to quantitative, with a percent yield around 95%.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the applications of lithium hydroxide?

Lithium hydroxide is used as a precursor to other lithium salts in drug production for bipolar disorder. It is also commonly used as a CO2 scrubber in spacecraft, submarines, and rebreathers.

Q: How is lithium hydroxide made?

There are two main methods shown in the video. The first is a metathesis reaction between lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide. The second method involves reacting lithium metal with water.

Q: Is there a risk of fire during the reaction with water?

While lithium reacts with water to produce lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, the reaction is relatively less violent compared to other alkali metals. However, caution and proper ventilation are still necessary.

Q: Can lithium hydroxide be purified?

Yes, the video demonstrates two methods of purification. One involves boiling the lithium hydroxide solution to evaporate water and precipitate the solid. The other method is precipitating lithium hydroxide by adding isopropyl alcohol to destroy its solubility in water.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lithium hydroxide is a weak alkali metal hydroxide with unique properties and uses, such as being a precursor to other lithium salts and a CO2 scrubber.

• The video showcases two main methods of making lithium hydroxide: a metathesis reaction with lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide, and reacting lithium metal with water.

• The process requires careful handling and ventilation due to the production of hydrogen gas, and the final product can be purified through boiling or precipitation.