Lithium hydride

Structure of lithium hydride

Lithium hydride is an ionic compound made of lithium and hydride ions. It has a high melting point (around 688.7 °C), but lower than most ionic compounds due to less electronegativity difference than other ionic compounds. The chemical formula is LiH. It has a molar mass of around 7.95 g/mol, making it the lightest ionic compound.

Formation and reactions with lithium hydride

When lithium metal reacts with hydrogen gas (usually above 600 °C with the reaction going quickly), it makes lithium hydride.

The balanced chemical equation is:
2Li + H2 → 2LiH

When lithium hydride reacts with water, it makes lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

The balanced chemical equation is:
LiH + H2O → LiOH + H2
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