About Lithium Nitrate
Lithium nitrate is a chemical compound formed by a lithium atom, a nitrogen atom, and 3 oxygen atoms bonding together, making the molecular formula for lithium nitrate LiNO3. The density is 2.38 g/mL, and this compound is soluble in water. (1) Lithium nitrate is considered stable, however it also reacts very violently with reducing agents. Some examples are lithium, sodium, phosphorous, and aluminum. (2) Lithium nitrate has many different uses; including being used as a rocket propellant, oxidant in fireworks, ceramics, antistatic agent, etc. (2,3) Lithium nitrate by itself is not combustible, but is an oxidant. This means that when you add lithium nitrate to other substances it increases the combustion of that other substance. For example, if you added lithium nitrate to a something already combustible, such as paper, it would catch fire. (2) Lithium nitrate is explosive, so it is important to keep in cool, well-vented areas when you are storing it. (2)
Lithium Nitrate has a melting point of 264°C (507.2°F), and it has a boiling point of 500°C (932°F). (1) When the compound reaches its boiling point, it decomposes, releasing dangerous gases such as nitrogen oxide. Breathing in lithium nitrate is very bad for your health and can cause bronchitis. When handling lithium nitrate you should wear protective clothing made from non-permeable material. Short term exposure to lithium nitrate can cause skin and eye irritation; irritate the nose, throat and lungs; cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; and headaches, muscle weakness, tremor, confusion seizures, and a coma. Kidney damage and thyroid issues can also be a result of long-term exposure. (2)
The bond holding lithium nitrate together is an ionic bond with a polyatomic ion. A polyatomic ion is a covalent bond between two or more atoms. Instead of having a neutral charge atom you have an atom with a charge. For example, nitrate is a polyatomic ion. If you were to draw the Lewis Dot Diagram you would not be able to evenly distribute the electrons between three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom. It is much easier to use a formula to find the number of shared electrons than it is to draw the Lewis Dot Diagram. Using the nitrate (NO31-) example, the formula would be 5(for the # of N valence electrons) + 3 × 6(for # of O valence electrons) + 1(for the 2- charge) = 25. Then you know you have four atoms total and they need 8 valence electrons for the octet rule, so you 4 × 8 = 32. You need 32 valence electrons total, so 32 – 24 = 8. 8 valence electrons must be shared. You have four electron pair bonds, and you can assume that there is double bonded atom and the other two are single bonded. (6) This polyatomic ion is then bonded again to form an ionic bond.
The ionic bond gives LiNO3 its high melting point and crystal structure. A crystal structure is a repeating arrangement of ions, molecules, or atoms. All ionic compounds are electrically neutral, meaning the charge is always 0. (5) When an ionic bond forms the electrons are transferred from one atom to another atom. Ionic bonds occur between metals (+ ions) and nonmetals (-), and they are much stronger than covalent bonds. (5)
In conclusion, lithium nitrate is an ionic compound with multiple uses. Lithium is bonded to nitrate, a polyatomic ion. It is an oxidizing agent, so when you are handling lithium nitrate it is important not mix it with reducing agents. If LiNO3 does get spilled it will not cause major long-term damage, but it can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and throat. Lithium nitrate is a very interesting compound that is seen in the fireworks that we shoot up into the sky every 4th of July. The next you see red fireworks in the sky, there is a chance that it is lithium nitrate.
Lithium Nitrate has a melting point of 264°C (507.2°F), and it has a boiling point of 500°C (932°F). (1) When the compound reaches its boiling point, it decomposes, releasing dangerous gases such as nitrogen oxide. Breathing in lithium nitrate is very bad for your health and can cause bronchitis. When handling lithium nitrate you should wear protective clothing made from non-permeable material. Short term exposure to lithium nitrate can cause skin and eye irritation; irritate the nose, throat and lungs; cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; and headaches, muscle weakness, tremor, confusion seizures, and a coma. Kidney damage and thyroid issues can also be a result of long-term exposure. (2)
The bond holding lithium nitrate together is an ionic bond with a polyatomic ion. A polyatomic ion is a covalent bond between two or more atoms. Instead of having a neutral charge atom you have an atom with a charge. For example, nitrate is a polyatomic ion. If you were to draw the Lewis Dot Diagram you would not be able to evenly distribute the electrons between three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom. It is much easier to use a formula to find the number of shared electrons than it is to draw the Lewis Dot Diagram. Using the nitrate (NO31-) example, the formula would be 5(for the # of N valence electrons) + 3 × 6(for # of O valence electrons) + 1(for the 2- charge) = 25. Then you know you have four atoms total and they need 8 valence electrons for the octet rule, so you 4 × 8 = 32. You need 32 valence electrons total, so 32 – 24 = 8. 8 valence electrons must be shared. You have four electron pair bonds, and you can assume that there is double bonded atom and the other two are single bonded. (6) This polyatomic ion is then bonded again to form an ionic bond.
The ionic bond gives LiNO3 its high melting point and crystal structure. A crystal structure is a repeating arrangement of ions, molecules, or atoms. All ionic compounds are electrically neutral, meaning the charge is always 0. (5) When an ionic bond forms the electrons are transferred from one atom to another atom. Ionic bonds occur between metals (+ ions) and nonmetals (-), and they are much stronger than covalent bonds. (5)
In conclusion, lithium nitrate is an ionic compound with multiple uses. Lithium is bonded to nitrate, a polyatomic ion. It is an oxidizing agent, so when you are handling lithium nitrate it is important not mix it with reducing agents. If LiNO3 does get spilled it will not cause major long-term damage, but it can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and throat. Lithium nitrate is a very interesting compound that is seen in the fireworks that we shoot up into the sky every 4th of July. The next you see red fireworks in the sky, there is a chance that it is lithium nitrate.