Lithium borate

Lithium borate,^[1] also known as lithium tetraborate,^[2] dilithium tetraborate^[3] or boron lithium oxide^[2] is an inorganic compound with the formula Li₂B₄O₇. A colorless solid, lithium borate is used in making glasses and ceramics. It is not to be confused with B₈Li₂O₁₃, also called lithium borate.^[4]

Lithium tetraborate

Names
Other names Lithium borate
Identifiers
CAS Number	12007-60-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21169645 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.031.364
EC Number	234-514-3
PubChem CID	15764247
UNII	G5N01T5TYY Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID20893158
InChI InChI=1S/B4O7.2Li/c5-1-9-3(7)11-4(8)10-2-6;;/q-2;2*+1 Y Key: PSHMSSXLYVAENJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/B4O7.2Li/c5-1-9-3(7)11-4(8)10-2-6;;/q-2;2*+1 Key: PSHMSSXLYVAENJ-UHFFFAOYAA
SMILES [Li+].[Li+].O=BOB([O-])OB([O-])OB=O
Properties
Chemical formula	Li2B4O7
Molar mass	169.11 g/mol
Appearance	white powder
Density	2.4 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	917 °C (1,683 °F; 1,190 K)
Solubility in water	moderately soluble
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 0 0
Safety data sheet (SDS)	External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Structure

Its structure consists of a polymeric borate backbone. The Li⁺ centers are bound to four and five oxygen ligands. Boron centers are trigonal and tetrahedral.^[5][6]

Borate backbone of Li₂B₄O₇.

Lithium borate can be used in the laboratory as LB buffer for gel electrophoresis of DNA and RNA. It is also used in the borax fusion method to vitrify mineral powder specimens for analysis by WDXRF spectroscopy.^[7]

See also

• LB buffer
• Lithium metaborate (LiBO₂)