Lithium

Location:  Group 1, Period 2
Atomic Weight:  6.941
Coordination Number:  (6)
Chemical Form in Solution:  Li⁺(aq) (large effective radius due to hydration sphere)
(coordination number in parentheses is assumed, not certain)

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 1-5% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Li Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (dissolves very rapidly in water); Ores (sodium carbonate fusion in Pt⁰ followed by HCl dissolution - blank levels of Li in sodium carbonate critical); Organic Matrices (Sulphuric / peroxide digestion or nitric / Sulphuric / perchloric acid decomposition).