Lithium acetate

Endpoint summary

Additional information

APPEARANCE/PHYSICAL STATE/COLOUR

Lithium acetate anhydrous and lithium acetate dihydrate are both white, odourless solids. Lithium acetate anhydrous appears in powder form, while lithium acetate dihydrate is present in crystalline form.

MELTING POINT/FREEZING POINT

A literature search was conducted. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. Four independent literature sources for Lithium acetate dihydrate and three independent literature sources for Lithium acetate anhydrous were avalaible. The melting point of lithium acetate dihydrate was in the range of 56 - 58 °C. The melting point of anhydrous lithium acetate was in the range of 280 - 287 °C. Thus. the different literature sources report the melting point in the same range for Lithium acetate dihydrate and anhydrous, respectively.

BOILING POINT

No boiling point could be detected as the substance decomposes before boiling.

DENSITY

A literature search was conducted. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. Three independent literature sources report the density of lithium acetate dihydrate in the same range: 1.3 (25 °C), 2.28 (15 °C)

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION (GRANULOMETRY)

The particle size distribution of the test item, lithium acetate anhydrous, was measured by laser diffraction according to DIN EN ISO 9001 in two studies.

In one study the values were as follows: D(10): 57.057 µm, D(50): 423.107 µm, D(90): 807.436 µm (FMC, 2014).

In an additional study the values were as follows: D(10): 8.33 µm, D(50): 140.65 µm, D(90): 373.14 µm (Albermarle, 2014).

VAPOUR PRESSURE

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Annex VII, the vapour pressure study does not need to be conducted as the melting point is between 200 °C and 300 °C. Lithium acetate has a melting point that is in the range of 280 - 287 °C, therefore, a study is not required. The vapour pressure of lithium acetate was calculated by means of the program MPBPWIN (EPIsuite, v1.43). Vapour pressure of lithium acetate was estimated to be 2.59E-6 Pa at 25°C using the modified Grain method.

PARTITION COEFFICIENT

Lithium acetate quickly dissociates in water forming lithium and acetate ions. Therefore, a laboratory study determining the partition coefficient of lithium acetate is technically not feasible and a literature review for the dissociation product, acetic acid, was conducted. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. The different literature sources report the partition coefficient within the range of -0.31 to -0.17 for acetic acid.

Additionally, the log Pow of 0.09 (25 °C) was calculated  for acetic acid.

WATER SOLUBILITY

The water solubility of lithium acetate dihydrate was determined as 630 g/L at 20 °C.

The water solubility of anhydrous lithium acetate was determined as 408 g/L at 20 °C.

SURFACE TENSION

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.6, the determination of surface tension only needs to be conducted if surface activity is expected or can be predicted. Based on the molecular structure, surface activity is not expected for lithium acetate.

FLASH POINT

As lithium acetate is a solid at room temperature, the determination of the flash point is scientifically unjustified and therefore was not performed. Instead, a test on flammability for solids upon contact in air was conducted (see IUCLID Section 4.13).

AUTO FLAMMABILITY

The test item is not considered to be a division 4.2 Self-Heating Substance, because a negative result was obtained in testing using a 100 mm sample cube and 1000 mL at 140 °C (as defined by UN/DOT criteria).

FLAMMABILITY

The preliminary screening tests according to UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria with lithium acetate anhydrous and lithium acetate dihydrate did not indicate flammable properties or self heating properties. Therefore both anhydrous and the hydrated form of the test substance are classified as non-flammable. Furthermore, the substance has no pyrophoric properties and does not liberate flammable gases in contact with water.

EXPLOSIVENESS

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.11, the determination of explosiveness does not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in lithium acetate (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Endpoint specific guidance, Version 5.0, December 2016 (EU-Document)).

OXIDISING PROPERTIES

For organic compounds as lithium acetate, the classification procedure for oxidizing substances of Devision 5.1 need not be applied if the compound contains oxygen, fluorine or chlorine and these elements are chemically bound only to carbon or hydrogen (UN Transport of Dangerous Goods, 2009). In lithium acetate the oxygen is chemically bonded to carbon only. Therefore, no study is required.

VISCOSITY

The study does not need to be conducted because it is a solid.

SELF-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES

In accordance with section 1 of REACH Annex XI and the UN test series A to H for self-reactive substances and mixtures do not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups present in the lithium acetate with explosive or self reactive properties.

ORGANIC PEROXIDE

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 Annex I section 2.15.1; only organic peroxides have to be tested according to the UN-MTC, Part II test series A-H. Based on the structure, lithium acetate is not an organic peroxide. Thus, no tests were conducted.

CORROSIVE TO METALS

A study does not need to be conducted because the substance is a solid at room temperature and a study is therefore not feasible.

GASES UNDER PRESSURE

A study does not need to be conducted because the substance is a solid at room temperature and a study is therefore not feasible.