Question

The molecular formula of lithium carbonate \[L{i_2}C{O_3}\].What is the molecular weight of this drug?

Answer 1

Hint: As given above \[L{i_2}C{O_3}\] is used to represent Lithium carbonate. Lithium carbonate is an inorganic compound and is also known as lithium salt of carbonate . This white salt is widely used in the processing of metal oxides,

Complete answer:
Lithium carbonate exists only in the anhydrous form unlike sodium carbonate which forms at least three hydrates. When we compare its solubility in water to other lithium salts it’s found to be quite low. The isolation of lithium from aqueous extracts of lithium ores depends on this poor solubility.However Its apparent solubility increases 10-fold under a mild pressure of carbon dioxide this effect is due to the formation of the metastable bicarbonate, which is more soluble. The extraction of lithium carbonate at high pressure of carbon dioxide and its precipitation upon depressurizing forms the basis of the Quebec process.Lithium carbonate can also be purified by exploiting its diminished solubility in hot water. Thus, heating a saturated aqueous solution causes crystallization
Lithium carbonate is made up of two types of atoms,Two lithium atoms,one carbon atom and three atoms of oxygen so,
${M_{L{i_2}C{O_3}}} = 2 \times {M_{Li}} + {M_C} + 3 \times {M_{{O_3}}}$
Substituting the molecular weight of all atoms,
${M_{L{i_2}C{O_3}}} = 2 \times 6.9 + 12.01 + 3 \times 16$
Solving the equation we get,
${M_{L{i_2}C{O_3}}} = 73.89gmo{l^{ - 1}}$

Note:
Lithium carbonate is an important industrial chemical. It is mainly used as a precursor for compounds used in lithium-ion batteries.Ovenware often use glasses derived from lithium carbonate.It is also widely used to treat bipolar disorder.