KABUI DOUGLAS MURIUKI

U29/144075/2022
HPCH 3101: PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY (INORGANIC CHEMISTRY)
PRACTICAL 1: CHEMISTRY OF LITHIUM

a. OBJECTIVE
To illustrate differences between the chemistry of lithium and other alkali
metals.

b. INTRODUCTION
Lithium is a group 1 element. Group 1 metals are known to be very reactive.
Some compounds of Lithium are known to have different properties than those
of other group 1 elements and in fact tend to have similar characteristics to
Magnesium compounds. These are known as diagonal properties as Lithium is
diagonally next to Magnesium on the periodic table.

c. OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION

1. Preparation of Mother Solution
Li2CO3 was dissolved into dilute HCl.
Effervescence of colourless, odourless gas (CO2) was seen and a
colourless solution was formed (LiCl soln.).

Li2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) = 2LiCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

2. Flame Test
I. Potassium Chloride gave a lilac flame characteristic of
Potassium Ions
II. Sodium Chloride gave a yellow flame characteristic of
Sodium Ions
III. Lithium Chloride gave a red flame characteristic of Lithium
Ions
3. Reaction with Ammoniacal Na2CO3
The mother solution was reacted with an excess of Ammoniacal
Na2CO3 where a white precipitate was formed. This is likely Li2CO3.
In contrast Sodium and Potassium Carbonates are readily soluble
in aqueous media and hence do not form precipitates.

2LiCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) = Li2CO3(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

4. Reaction with Ammoniacal Na2CO3 and NaCl

The mother solution was reacted with an excess of Ammoniacal
Na2CO3 and NaCl where a white precipitate was formed. This is
likely Li2CO3. This however took longer to form as the NaCl might
have shifted the equilibrium of the reaction.
In contrast Sodium and Potassium Carbonates are readily soluble
in aqueous media and hence do not form precipitates.

2LiCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) = Li2CO3(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

5. Reaction with Ammoniacal NH4F

The mother solution was reacted with an excess of Ammoniacal
NH4F where a white precipitate was formed. This is likely LiF
In contrast Sodium and Potassium Fluorides are readily soluble in
aqueous media and hence do not form precipitates.

LiCl(aq) + NH4F(aq) = LiF(s) + NH4Cl(aq)

 6. Separation of Salts
0.1g of each LiCl and KCl were put into a boiling tube and dissolved
on absolute alcohol
I. A white precipitate was formed
The polar protic solvent ethanol was able to solvate the
smaller Lithium ion and unable to solvate the larger
potassium ion. Hence the formation of a precipitate which is
likely KCl (confirmed later in the experiment)

II. The solution was filtered and the following qualitative tests
were carried out each to the residue and the filtrate (after
evaporating the absolute alcohol)

Test Flame Test CobaltNitrile test

Residue Lilac Flame - Consistent with Yellow Precipitate formed - Potassium ions
Potassium Ions confirmed
Na₃[Co(NO₂)₆](aq) + KCl(aq) = K₃[Co(NO₂)₆](s) +NaCl(aq)

Filtrate Red Flame - Consistent with Orange Colour of Solution Retained - Potassium Ions
Lithium Ions Absent

d. CONCLUSION
Lithium compounds indeed have different properties from other group 1
metals and may be attributed as diagonal properties.

e. DATA SHEET
Please find the data sheet attached to this report