Lithium chloride

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Appearance/physical state/colour

Lithium chloride is a white, odourless, crystalline solid. The substance is hygroscopic.

Melting point

The determination of the melting point was performed according to OECD 102 by applying the differential scanning calorimetry. The melting point of lithium chloride was determined to be 608.52°C at 101 325 Pa. Handbook data provide similar results with about 608 - 614°C.

Boiling point

According to the handbook data lithium chloride has a boiling point of 1360 - 1383°C.

Density

According to the handbook data the relative density of lithium chloride is 2.1 g/cm3 at 20°C.

Particle size distribution (Granulometry)

The particle size distribution (volume distribution) of the test item was measured by laser diffraction. The values were as follows: d10: 229 µm, d50: 383 µm, d90: 549 µm.

The fraction lower or equal 10 µm (relevant for inhalation toxicity) is 0 %.

Vapour pressure

In accordance with column 2 of Reach Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII section 7.5, the vapour pressure does not need to be determined if the melting point is above 300°C. Lithium chloride has a melting point of 610 - 614°C. Therefore, a study on vapour pressure is not required.

A vapour pressure of 4.2E-30 Pa at 25°C was calculated with the modified Grain method (EPISuite, v3.10).

Partition coefficient

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII, section 7.8, the test on partition coefficient n-octanol/water does not need to be conducted if the substance is inorganic. Lithium chloride is an inorganic solid. The theoretical, calculated (EPIWIN) log Pow is -0.46, i.e. very low, as expected for an inorganic salt.

Water solubility

The water solubility of lithium chloride was determined by a study according to EU Method A.6 and OECD Guideline 105 to be 569 g/L at 20°C. Similar results are also reported on one review article. According to some hand book data the water solubility of lithium chloride (purity not indicated) is significantly higher than 569 g/L. A possible explanation for the higher water solubility is a water content, resulting in a higher water solubility.

Surface tension

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII, section 7.6, the determination of surface tension only needs to be conducted if surface activity is expected or can be predicted. Based on the molecular structure, surface activity is not expected for lithium chloride.

Flash point

As lithium chloride is a solid at room temperature, the determination of the flash point is scientifically unjustified and therefore was not performed.

Auto flammability

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII section 7.12 a self ignition temperature study does not need to be conducted as the substance is not flammable (see IUCLID section 4.13) and experience in handling gives no indication, that the substance is self-heating up to 400°C. As both criteria are applicable to lithium chloride, no test was performed.

Flammability

Lithium chloride is non-flammable according to a study following UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Test and Criteria, N1: Test Method for readily combustible solids, sub-section 33.2.1.4.

Flammability upon contact with water: The chemical structure of Lithium chloride indicates that there are no groups associated with flammability properties (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, EU-Document (2012). Further, experience in handling and use does not indicate flammability upon contact with water.

The chemical structure of lithium chloride indicates no pyrophoric properties. The test substance does not contain any chemical group that might lead to spontaneous ignition shortly after coming into contact with air at room temperature (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, EU-Document (2012). Based on experience in handling and use there is also no indicator for pyrophoric properties.

Further, lithium chloride does not meet the criteria for self-reactive or self-heating substances and organic peroxides.

Explosiveness

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII section 7.11, the determination of explosiveness does not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in lithium chloride (refer to Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.7a, 2012).

Oxidising properties

A test on oxidising properties (required in section 7.13 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006 Annex VII) does not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups associated with oxidising properties present in Lithium chloride (refer to Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.7a).

Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006, Annex IX, section 7.15, the study which examines stability in organic solvents does not need to be conducted as the test substance lithium chloride is an inorganic substance.

Storage stability and reactivity towards container material

Corrosion to metals:

In accordance with ECHA guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria section 2.15, the test has obviously been designed for liquids. Thus, as the substance is a solid at room temperature the study was not conducted. Furthermore, experience handling lithium chloride in the laboratory and the plant indicate that it is not corrosive to metals. It does not meet the criteria in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, 5th Edition, section 37.4 for materials corrosive to metal.

Dissociation constant

Dissolution with dissociation is a characteristic of salts like lithium chloride. The equilibrium constant is known in this case as the solubility product. The solubility product Ksp of LiCl is the product [Li+]*[Cl-] at the equilibrium [LiCl]s <=> Li+(aq) + Cl-(aq).

As the solubility is 569 g/L at 20°C, the Ksp value is calculated to be 180 mol exp2/L exp2. The log10 of the Ksp value is 2.256.

Viscosity

The study which examines viscosity and is required according to REACH Regulation EC (No) 1907/2006, Annex IX, section 7.17 does not need to be conducted as the test substance lithium chloride is not a liquid.

Additional physico-chemical information

Flammable Aerosols:

Section 2.4.2 of Guidance on the application on the CLP Criteria states as follows: “Aerosols, this means aerosol dispensers, are any non-refillable receptacles made of metal, glass or plastics and containing a gas compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, with or without a liquid, paste or powder, and fitted with a release device allowing the contents to be ejected as solid or liquid particles in suspension in a gas, as a foam, paste or powder or in a liquid state or in a gaseous state.” Thus, as the substance does not meet the definition for aerosol, the test was waived.

Gases under pressure:

In accordance with section 1.0 Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the test does not need to be conducted as the boiling point of the substance is above 20 °C i.e. substance is not completely gaseous at 20 °C at standard pressure. Thus, as the substance is not a gas at room temperature, the test was not conducted.