CH.COCI
+ L i H —*• C H , C H O
+
LiCI
making the most of lithium hydride Lithium hydride is one of the most versatile metal hydrides available t o the chemist. Long known for its unique solubility properties a s compared with other alkali metal hydrides, this lithium compound h a s amassed a n impressive number of applications—both present and future—that go far beyond original expec tations. A few examples are in order: . . . as a reducing and condensing agent Lithium hydride can convert carbon dioxide t o free carbon . . . can reduce acetyl chloride t o acetaldehyde and lithium chloride (illustrated above) . . . can be used t o prepare new hydrides which would otherwise be unobtainable except in small yields and by difficult synthesis . . . functions efficiently in m a n y organic con densation and reduction reactions . . . and can easily be increased in solubility or controlled in reactivity by conversion t o mixed hydrides. . . . as a catalyst Lithium hydride reacts with alcohols t o form lithium alcoholates and hydrogen. This reaction makes possible
the convenient preparation of anhydrous lithium alcoholate which is useful as an alcoholysis catalyst. . . . as a hydrogen bank Lithium hydride is an ideal source of hydrogen . . . just one pound of lithium hydride will generate as much a s 45 cubic feet of hydrogen gas a t S.T.P. This gives you more hydrogen per unit of weight t h a n can be secured by using " b o t t l e d " gas in steel containers. . . . as a nuclear shielding material N H of lithium hydride is 5.90 compared to 6.68 for water a t room temperature. And because of its low dissociation pressure a t its melting point (27 m m a t 680°C), lithium hydride can be heated t o red heat in a thin-wall con tainer . . . without requiring a pressure shell. I t appears to be stable indefinitely a t this temperature. These and many other useful characteristics of lithium hydride may help improve your product or process. For complete technical data, write for Bulletin 102. Address request t o Technical Literature Dept., Foote Mineral Co., 416 Eighteen West Chelten Bldg., Phila., 44, Pa.
FOOTΕ
M I N E R A L
C O M P A N Y
LITHIUM CHEMICALS, METAL, MINERALS · STRONTIUM CHEMICALS · WELDING GRADE FERRO ALLOYS · METAl
·
STEEL ADDITIVES
·
COMMERCIAL
MINERALS
A N D ORES
·
ELECTROLYTIC MANGANESE
ZIRCONIUM, TITANIUM, HAFNIUM
(IODIDE PROCESSI
Circle No. 50 on Readers' Service Card
VOL. 52, NO. 3
•
MARCH 1960
93 A
