lithiumcontaining

Lithium-containing refers to chemical species that include lithium (Li) as part of their composition. This term encompasses elements, inorganic salts, minerals, organic compounds, and materials in which lithium is present in ionic, covalent, or metallic form. Lithium-containing substances are studied in inorganic chemistry, mineralogy, and materials science due to lithium's light weight and unique electrochemical properties.

Common lithium-containing compounds include lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium fluoride (LiF), and organolithium reagents used in synthesis. Lithium metal is highly reactive and used as a reducing agent and in battery anodes. In medicine, lithium salts such as lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are used as mood stabilizers.

Lithium occurs in minerals such as spodumene (LiAlSi2O6), petalite, lepidolite, and amblygonite, and in brine deposits. Extraction commonly involves hard rock mining or brine evaporation ponds, followed by processing to concentrate lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide.

The most prominent use is in lithium-ion batteries for portable electronics and electric vehicles; other applications include ceramics and glass production, lubricants, polymer additives, and pharmaceutical uses.

As demand grows, issues include mining impacts, water use, brine resource management, and recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries; policies encourage sustainable supply chains and the development of alternative chemistries and mining sources.