lithium [Li]

Introduction

From the Greek lithos meaning stone. Discovered in 1817 by J August Arfvedson in Stockholm. First isolated in 1821 by Willian T Brande.

Occurrence

• igneous rocks & many mineral spring waters

Characteristics

• soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group
• the lightest metal known
• easily cut
• reacts slowly with water to form H2 & LiOH
• reacts vigorously with all halogens to from halides

Uses

• nuclear reactions &
• metallurgy
• battery anodes
• as an alloy with aluminum & magnesium for lightweight, high-performance metals for aircraft

Laboratory

• lithium in hair
• lithium in tissue
• lithium in erythrocytes
• lithium in body fluid
  • lithium in gastric fluid
  • lithium in saliva
  • Li+ in blood
  • Li+ in serum/plasma
  • Li+ in urine

More general terms

• alkali metal

Additional terms

• Li+
• periodic table
• pharmaceutical lithium

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=23928
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3028194
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=28486