About Lithium bromide

Lithium bromide, or LiBr, is a chemical compound of lithium and bromine. Its extreme hygroscopic character makes LiBr useful as a desiccant in certain air conditioning systems.

LiBr is prepared by treatment of lithium carbonate with hydrobromic acid. The salt forms several crystalline hydrates, unlike the other alkali metal bromides. The anhydrous salt forms cubic crystals similar to common salt (sodium chloride).

Lithium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid (aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide) will precipitate lithium bromide in the presence of water.

Lithium bromide is used in air-conditioning systems as desiccant.

Otherwise the salt is useful as a reagent in organic synthesis. For example it reversibly forms adducts with some pharmaceuticals.