Liitiumsoola

Liitiumsoola, or lithium salt, is a broad term for chemical compounds that contain the lithium cation Li+ paired with a counter-anion. The term is used in several languages, including Finnish, to refer to lithium salts. The properties of lithium salts vary with the accompanying anion, but many are white or pale crystalline solids and are typically soluble in water to varying degrees.

Common examples include lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium bromide (LiBr), lithium citrate (Li3C6H5O7), and battery-related salts such as lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6). These salts cover a range of applications, from medical and industrial uses to components in energy storage.

Uses span multiple fields. In medicine, lithium carbonate is used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder and as a pharmaceutical lithium source in certain formulations. In industry, lithium salts act as fluxes in glass and ceramics and as precursors for organolithium reagents. In energy storage, lithium salts such as LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiTFSI are common components of electrolyte solutions in lithium‑ion batteries and related technologies.

Production and properties: Lithium salts are formed by neutralization or metathesis of lithium-containing reagents with acids or other anions. They are often derived from spodumene ore or brine deposits, and the specific synthesis yields the desired salt for a given application.

Safety and handling: Many lithium salts are relatively low in acute toxicity as solids but can pose hazards if ingested, inhaled, or improperly disposed of. Some salts are hygroscopic or moisture-sensitive. Proper storage in dry conditions and adherence to regulatory guidelines for disposal and handling are recommended.