Lithium Bromide LiBr 7550-35-8

Lithium Bromide (LiBr)

Enterprise Specification for Lithium Bromide Solution

Package: 300KGS packed in a plastic bucket. 1200KGS (4 buckets) packed in a pallet

Enterprise Specification for Lithium Bromide Solution with Lithium-Molybdenum Corrosion Inhibito

Package: 300KGS packed in a plastic bucket. 1200KGS (4 buckets) packed in a pallet

What is Lithium Bromide (LiBr) used for?

Lithium Bromide (LiBr) serves diverse roles across industrial, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors. A 50–60% aqueous LiBr solution is extensively employed in air-conditioning and absorption refrigeration systems, where its hygroscopic nature enables efficient moisture absorption and heat transfer, facilitating energy-efficient cooling. Similarly, LiBr acts as a coolant in industrial absorption-based air-cooling systems, leveraging its thermodynamic properties for temperature regulation.  

In organic synthesis, solid LiBr is a versatile reagent. It enhances catalytic processes such as oxidation and hydroformylation, aids in deprotonation and dehydration of acidic organic compounds, and supports purification of complex molecules like steroids and prostaglandins. Its solubility in polar solvents further enables applications in specialized chemical syntheses.  

Within the pharmaceutical industry, LiBr functions as a drying agent and participates in manufacturing processes. Historically, it was utilized as a sedative and treatment for bipolar disorder and epilepsy, though its medical use declined post-1940s due to safety concerns and the advent of alternatives.  

LiBr’s solubility in alcohol and ether also makes it valuable in photographic technology, particularly in formulating collodion dry plate emulsions. Additionally, high-purity LiBr is applied in niche industrial processes, including water treatment and crystal growth, where its stability and ionic properties are advantageous.  

Combining versatility with functional efficiency, LiBr remains critical in advanced cooling systems, chemical manufacturing, and specialized industrial applications, underscoring its adaptability across technical fields.  

What is Lithium Bromide (LiBr) used for?

 Lithium Bromide (LiBr) - Applications and Uses

Lithium Bromide (LiBr) is a highly soluble and hygroscopic inorganic salt with unique thermodynamic and chemical properties. It is a critical material in large-scale energy-efficient cooling and serves as a versatile reagent in advanced chemical synthesis. Our high-purity Lithium Bromide, available in both solid and concentrated aqueous solution forms, is engineered for reliability and performance across its diverse applications.

Primary Applications and Industries:

1. Energy & Environmental Control

Lithium Bromide's most significant application is in thermal management, where it enables efficient, sustainable cooling.

*   Absorption Refrigeration: A 50-60% aqueous solution of LiBr is the standard working fluid in large-scale absorption chillers. These systems use heat (from waste steam, solar thermal, or natural gas) instead of significant electrical power to drive the cooling process, providing an energy-efficient solution for:

    *   District Cooling Systems

    *   Industrial Process Cooling

    *   Large Commercial HVAC Systems

2. Chemical Synthesis & Processing

In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, solid LiBr is valued as a powerful and versatile reagent.

*   Lewis Acid Catalyst: Facilitates a range of organic transformations, including oxidation, hydroformylation, and cyclization reactions, due to its ability to coordinate with organic functional groups.

*   Reaction Promoter: Used in deprotonation and dehydration steps for sensitive acidic compounds, enabling the synthesis of complex molecular structures.

*   Purification Agent: Aids in the purification of intricate organic molecules, such as steroids and prostaglandins, during manufacturing.

3. Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

While its therapeutic use has declined, LiBr remains a valuable processing agent in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

*   Chemical Intermediate: Participates in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

*   Drying Agent: Its extreme hygroscopicity is utilized to control moisture in specific manufacturing processes.

*   Historical Use: Previously used as a sedative and for conditions like bipolar disorder, its medicinal application has been largely superseded by safer, more modern drugs.

4. Specialized Industrial Applications

*   Photographic Technology: Its high solubility in organic solvents like alcohol and ether made it a key component in the formulation of collodion dry plate emulsions in traditional photography.

*   Humidity Control: Used in specialized industrial air drying systems where precise moisture absorption is required.

*   Research & Material Science: Employed in crystal growth and other niche laboratory processes that leverage its stable ionic properties.

---

 Key Characteristics & Benefits:

*   Exceptional Hygroscopicity: Highly effective at absorbing water vapor, making it ideal for absorption refrigeration and drying applications.

*   High Solubility: Exhibits excellent solubility in both water and polar organic solvents, providing formulation flexibility.

*   Thermodynamic Stability: Offers reliable performance in demanding industrial conditions, such as within high-temperature absorption chillers.

*   Versatile Reagent: Acts as a catalyst, promoter, and purification agent in sophisticated chemical synthesis.

Disclaimer: Lithium Bromide must be handled with appropriate care, as concentrated solutions can be corrosive. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure safe handling practices and to determine the product's suitability for their specific application in compliance with all relevant regulations.