Lithium tetrachloroaluminate

Lithium tetrachloroaluminate is an inorganic compound with the formula Li[AlCl₄].^[4] It consists of lithium cations Li⁺ and tetrahedral tetrachloroaluminate anions [AlCl₄]⁻.

Lithium tetrachloroaluminate

Names
IUPAC name Lithium tetrachloroaluminate
Other names LAC Lithium aluminium chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	14024-11-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21160220 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.034.396
EC Number	237-850-9
PubChem CID	16700422
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID50893949
InChI InChI=1S/Al.4ClH.Li/h;4*1H;/q+3;;;;;+1/p-4 Y Key: AQLRWYUVWAYZFO-UHFFFAOYSA-J Y InChI=1/Al.4ClH.Li/h;4*1H;/q+3;;;;;+1/p-4/rAlCl4.Li/c2-1(3,4)5;/q-1;+1 Key: AQLRWYUVWAYZFO-VCMAQHAHAL
SMILES [Li+].Cl[Al-](Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	Li[AlCl4]
Molar mass	175.72 g·mol−1
Appearance	White hygroscopic crystalline powder[1][2]
Odor	Odorless[1]
Melting point	143 °C (289 °F; 416 K) [2]
Solubility in water	Soluble.[1] Reacts violently with water.[3][2]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302, H312, H314, H332
Precautionary statements	P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P312, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P312, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P321, P322, P330, P363, P405, P501
Related compounds
Related salts	Sodium tetrachloroaluminate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Uses

Lithium tetrachloroaluminate is used in some lithium batteries. A solution of lithium tetrachloroaluminate in thionyl chloride is the liquid cathode and electrolyte in those baterries, e.g. the lithium-thionyl chloride cell. Another cathode-electrolyte formulation is lithium tetrachloroaluminate + thionyl chloride + sulfur dioxide + bromine.

Reactions

Reacts violently with water, alcohols and oxidizing agents. Upon exposure to heat or fire, it decomposes emitting irritating and toxic fumes and smoke of hydrogen chloride, lithium oxide and aluminium oxide.^[3]

Toxicity

Upon contact with skin, causes burns. Inhalation causes coughing and corrosive injuries to the respiratory system, which can lead to pneumonia.^[1][3] This compound is extremely destructive to the mucous tissues. May cause pulmonary edema and edema of the larynx, laryngitis and edema of bronchi, leading to shortness of breath. May cause damage to the eyes, headache and nausea. If swallowed, may cause damage.^[3]