Lithium
Also known as Lithium element, Lithium, metallic, Lithium, elemental
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Soft silvery-white metal
- Melting point
- 180.5 °C
- Boiling point
- 1,342 °C
- Density
- 0.534 g/cm³ at 25 °C
- Solubility
- Reacts with water
- HS code
- 280519
- Category
- Metals, alloys and elements
- UN number
- UN 1415

What is Lithium?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Lithium atom is an alkali metal atom.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- lithium
- CAS number
- 7439-93-2 CAS number cross-checked
- EC number
- 231-102-5
- Molecular formula
- Li
- UNII
- 68KF447EX3, 9FN79X2M3F
- MDL number
- MFCD00011074, MFCD00134051
- InChIKey
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/Li
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- [Li]
Synonyms
- Lithium element
- Lithium, metallic
- Lithium, elemental
- Lithium 7
- Lithium metallicum
- Li
- lithium(1+) ion
- Lithium-7
- Lithium atom
- Litium
- Lithium Metal
- litio
- Lithium Standard: Li+ @ 1000 microg/mL in H2O
- Al alloy CRM for Lithium in 1075, O 64x25 mm
- Lithium - Li @ 1000 microg/g in Hydrocarbon Oil
- Lithium Standard: Li @ 10 microg/mL in 2% HNO3
- Lithium Standard: Li @ 1000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- Lithium Standard: Li @ 10000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- monolithium
- Lithium AA Standard: Li @ 1000 microg/mL in 5% HNO3
- Lithium Standard: Li @ 5000 microg/g in Hydrocarbon Oil
- Lithium-6 Internal Standard: 6Li @ 10 microg/mL in 2% HNO3
- Lithium ribbon
- Atomic Lithium
- Element Lithium
Show all 38 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- Element:Lithium
- metallic lithium
- Lithium-6 Internal Standard: 6Li @ 100 microg/mL in 2% HNO3
- Element-Li
- Element:Li
- Lithium (atomic)
- Li (element)
- Lithium (element)
- lithium metal in oil
- Li Standard Solution
- Normothymin-E (TN)
- Lithium, 99%, low sodium
- Lithium, 99%, high sodium
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Soft silvery-white metalexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Odour | ODORLESSexp.Measured value |
| Melting point | 180.5 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 1,342 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | 0.534 g/cm³ at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Autoignition temperature | 179 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Reacts with waterexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 7.90 × 10⁻¹¹ Pa (5.92 × 10⁻¹³ mm Hg) at 400 K (127 °C), 0.000489 Pa (3.67 × 10⁻⁶ mm Hg) at 600 K (327 °C), 1.08 Pa (0.00810 mm Hg) at 800 K (524 °C), 109 Pa (0.818 mm Hg) at 1000 K (727 °C)exp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 6.94 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 7.016 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | -0.38calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 0 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 1calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H260In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously.
- H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Precautionary statements (17)
- P223Do not allow contact with water.
- P231 + P232Handle and store contents under inert gas. Protect from moisture.
- P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
- P302 + P335 + P334If on skin: Brush off loose particles from skin. Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages.
- P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P402 + P404Store in a dry place. Store in a closed container.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 1415
- Transport hazard class
- 4.3
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidLithium suppliers
Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings
- India, Navi MumbaiUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Poland, Toruń ManufacturerUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- ChinaUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- China, NanjingUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- China ManufacturerUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, HyderabadUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Italy, Casale Sul SileUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Price on request
- ChinaUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- China, HangzhouUnclaimed profileLithiumGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.
Where suppliers are based
44 suppliers in 11 countries
- United States20
- China10
- Germany4
- Spain2
- India2
- United Kingdom1
- and 5 more countries
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Lithium price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.
Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
As "getter" in vacuum tubes, manufacture of catalysts for polyolefin plastics, in fuels for aircraft, missiles.
In metallurgy, as degasifier, deoxidizer, desulfurizer, as grain refiner in non-ferrous metals.
Chem intermediate for butyllithium polymerization catalyst, in alloys with aluminum or magnesium for aerospace uses.
Catalyst in mfr of synthetic rubber & multipurpose lubricants.
Industrial uses: Other, Alloys, Oxidizing agent, Intermediate.
Consumer uses: Oxidizing agent, Alloys.
Roles
- antipsychotic agent
- central nervous system depressant
- central nervous system drug
- pharmaceutical
- psychotropic drug
- tranquilizing drug
Pharmacology
Lithium is an element with atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight 6.941.
How it is made
Recovery of the ore, spodumene, followed by concentration by froth flotation, conversion to lithium chloride, and electrolysis from an anhydrous lithium chloride-potassium chloride mixture.
High-temperature extraction from spodumene by sodium carbonate, solar evaporation of lake brines.
Recovered from natural brines, electrochemical processes, reduction of the oxide with magnesium or aluminum, Hanson, U.S. patent 2,028,390 (1936)
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Europe
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 003-001-00-4
Health and food
- Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Lithium is traded under.
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals, other
- Germany59.4%
- United States7.9%
- France * partner reported4.7%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Lithium is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Lithium, based on the data on this page
What is Lithium?
What is the CAS number of Lithium?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Lithium?
What is Lithium used for?
Is Lithium hazardous?
What is the HS code of Lithium?
Where can I buy Lithium?
Where can I buy Lithium in India?
What is the price of Lithium?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Lithium
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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