Lithium perchlorate, LiClO₄

The Lithium perchlorate, LiClO₄ is prepared by neutralizing perchloric acid with lithium carbonate, evaporating to dryness, extracting with alcohol, and concentrating the alcoholic solution. From aqueous solution the trihydrate, LiClO₄,3H₂O, crystallizes. It melts at 95° C., passes into the monohydrate at 98° to 100° C., and into the anhydrous salt at 130° to 150° C. The anhydrous salt melts at 236° C., and is converted with evolution of oxygen into the chlorate and chloride above 380° C. Between 410° C. and 430° C. the decomposition is slow, but it becomes rapid at 450° C.