Lithium phosphate

Lithium phosphate
	source ↗
Names
	IUPAC name Lithium phosphate
	Other names Trilithium phosphate
Identifiers
CAS Number	10377-52-3;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	145361;
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.736
EC Number	233-823-0;
PubChem CID	165867;
UNII	2QM4K05Q74;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID60889590 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/3Li.H3O4P/c;;;1-5(2,3)4/h;;;(H3,1,2,3,4)/q3*+1;/p-3 Key: TWQULNDIKKJZPH-UHFFFAOYSA-K;
	SMILES [Li+].[Li+].[Li+].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O;
Properties
Chemical formula	Li3PO4
Molar mass	115.794 g/mol
Appearance	White powder
Density	2.46 g/cm3
Melting point	1,205 °C (2,201 °F; 1,478 K)
Solubility in water	0.027 g/100 mL (25 °C)
Structure
Crystal structure	Orthorhombic
Space group	Pmn21
Lattice constant	a = 6.115, b = 5.239, c = 4.855
Coordination geometry	Tetrahedral (at all atoms)
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of; formation (ΔfH⦵298)	-2095.8 kJ/mol
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	source ↗ 2 0 0
Related compounds
Other cations	Trisodium phosphate; Tripotassium phosphate; Caesium phosphate
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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

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

Health

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

Haynes, W. M., ed. (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (96th ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1482260960.
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.
"Lithium Phosphate". Sigma Aldrich. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
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.

[crc-1] Haynes, W. M., ed. (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (96th ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1482260960.

[crysstr-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.

[sigma-3] "Lithium Phosphate". Sigma Aldrich. Retrieved 16 May 2025.

[raman-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.

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Synthesis and structure

Hazards

Health

See also

References