Lithium Molybdate, 5Li₂MoO₄.2H₂O

Lithium Molybdate, 5Li₂MoO₄.2H₂O, is obtained either by boiling together suitable quantities of lithium carbonate and molybdic anhydride in aqueous suspension, or by extracting with water the mass resulting from the fusion of a mixture containing suitable quantities of lithium carbonate and molybdic anhydride. If allowed to crystallise from hot solutions, the anhydrous salt is obtained in white monoclinic needles. These dissolve readily in water, forming an alkaline solution. If a slight excess of molybdic acid is added to the solution, the sparingly soluble salt, 2Li₂O.3MoO₃, separates in slender needles.