making the most of lithium hydride Lithium hydride is one of the most versatile metaï hydrides available to the chemist. Long knqwn for its unique solubility properties as compared with other alkali metal hydrides, this lithium compound has amassed an impressive number of applications—both present and future—that go far beyond original expectations. A few examples are in order: . . . as a reducing· and condensing agent Lithium hydride can convert carbon dioxide to free carbon . . . can reduce acetyl chloride to acetaldehyde and lithium chloride (illustrated above) . . . can be used to prepare new hydrides which would otherwise be unobtainable except in small yields and by difficult synthesis . . . functions efficiently in many organic condensation and reduction reactions . . . and can easily be increased in solubility or controlled in reactivity by conversion to mixed hydrides. . . . as a catalyst Lithium hydride reacts with alcohols to form lithium alcoholates and hydrogen. This reaction makes possible
FOOTΕ
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 as 45 cubic feet of hydrogen gas a t S.T.P. This gives you more hydrogen per unit of weight than can be secured by using "bottled" gas in steel containers. . . . as a nuclear shielding material N H of lithium hydride is 5.90 compared to 6.68 for water at room temperature. And because of its low dissociation pressure at its melting point (27 mm at 680°C), lithium hydride can be heated to red heat in a thin-wall con tainer . . . without requiring ia 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 to Technical Literature Dept., Foote Mineral Co., 416 Eighteen West Chelten Bldg., Phila., 44, Pa.
M I N E R A L
C O M P A N Y
LITHIUM CHEMICALS, METAL, MINERALS · STRONTIUM CHEMICALS · WELDING GRADE FERRO ALLOYS · ELECTROLYTIC MANGANESE METAL
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STEEL ADDITIVES' ·
COMMERCIAL MINERALS AND ORES
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ZIRCONIUM, TITANIUM, HAFNIUM
VOL. 51, NO. 1 ·
(IODIDE PROCESS)
JANUARY 1959 1 1 7 A
