Lithium nitrate is an
inorganic compoundTraditionally, inorganic compounds are considered to be of a mineral, not biological, origin. Complementarily, most organic compounds are traditionally viewed as being of biological origin...
with the formula LiNO
3. This deliquescent colourless
saltA salt, in chemistry, is an ionic compound, and can result from the neutralization reaction of acids and bases. Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
is an oxidizing agent used in the manufacture of red-colored
fireworksA firework is a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
and flares.
Upon thermal decomposition, LiNO
3 gives
lithium oxideLithium oxide or lithia is an inorganic chemical compound. Lithium oxide is formed along with small amounts of lithium peroxide when lithium metal is burned in the air and combines with oxygen:Pure can be produced by the thermal decomposition of lithium peroxide, at 450°C-Structure:In the solid...
(Li
2O), nitrogen dioxide, and
oxygenOxygen Oxygen Oxygen (acid, literally "sharp", from the taste of acids) and -γενής (-genēs) (producer, literally begetter) is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O...
:
- 4 LiNO3 → 2 Li2O + 4 NO2
Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula . It exists as a radical in nature. One of several nitrogen oxides, is an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of nitric acid, millions of tons of which are produced each year. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp,...
+ O2
Other group I nitrates decompose differently, forming the
nitriteThe nitrite ion is NO2−. The anion is bent, being isoelectronic with ozone. More generally, a nitrite compound is either a salt or an ester of nitrous acid.-Examples:* nitrous acid, HNO2...
salt and
oxygenOxygen Oxygen Oxygen (acid, literally "sharp", from the taste of acids) and -γενής (-genēs) (producer, literally begetter) is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O...
. Because of its relatively small size, the lithium cation is very polarizing, which favors the formation of the oxide.
When placed in a flame, lithium salts (not just the nitrate) give off a bright red glow.
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