Lithium phosphate

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Lithium phosphate
Names
IUPAC name
Lithium phosphate
Other names
Trilithium phosphate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.736 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 233-823-0
UNII
  • InChI=1S/3Li.H3O4P/c;;;1-5(2,3)4/h;;;(H3,1,2,3,4)/q3*+1;/p-3
    Key: TWQULNDIKKJZPH-UHFFFAOYSA-K
  • [Li+].[Li+].[Li+].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O
Properties
Li3PO4
Molar mass 115.794 g/mol
Appearance White powder
Density 2.46 g/cm3[1]
Melting point 1,205 °C (2,201 °F; 1,478 K)[1]
0.027 g/100 mL (25 °C)[1]
Structure[2]
Orthorhombic
Pmn21
a = 6.115, b = 5.239, c = 4.855
Tetrahederal (at all atoms)
Thermochemistry
-2095.8 kJ/mol[1]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
0
0
Related compounds
Other cations
Trisodium phosphate
Tripotassium phosphate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Lithium phosphate is a phosphate salt of lithium, with the molecular formula Li3PO4.[3] It is a white solid slightly soluble in water.

It is primarily used in the production of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) for making lithium-ion batteries.[3]

Synthesis and structure

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Trilithium phosphate can be produced by the neutralization of lithium carbonate using phosphoric acid:[1]

3 Li2CO3 + 2 H3PO4 → 2 Li3PO4 + 3 H2O + 3 CO2

The low-temperature polymorph (β-Li3PO4) crystallizes as an orthorhombic crystal with the space group Pmn21. If heated to above 500°C, it converts to another polymorph, γ-Li3PO4.[4]

Hazards

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Health

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Large doses of lithium phosphate may cause dizziness, and sometimes, kidney damage. According to some reports, dehydration, weight loss, and thyroid disturbances can occur due to high exposure of lithium ions. Nervous system defects, including slurred speech, blurred vision, sensory loss, and convulsions may also occur.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Haynes, W. M., ed. (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (96th ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1482260960.
  2. ^ Charles Keffer; Alan D. Mighell; Floyd Mauer; Howard E. Swanson; Stanley Block (1967). "Crystal structure of twinned low-temperature lithium phosphate". Inorganic Chemistry. 6 (1): 119–125. doi:10.1021/ic50047a027.
  3. ^ a b c "Lithium Phosphate". Sigma Aldrich. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  4. ^ L. Popović; B. Manoun; D. de Waal; M. K. Nieuwoudt; J. D. Comins (2002). "Raman spectroscopic study of phase transitions in Li3PO4". Journal of Raman Spectroscopy. 34 (1): 77–83. doi:10.1002/jrs.954.