Lithium imide

Lithium imide

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Names
IUPAC name Lithium imide
Identifiers
CAS Number	12135-01-2
Properties
Chemical formula	Li2NH
Molar mass	28.897 g/mol
Density	1.48 g/cm3
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Lithium imide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Li
₂NH. This white solid can be formed by a reaction between lithium amide and lithium hydride.

LiNH₂ + LiH → Li₂NH + H₂

The product is light-sensitive and can undergo disproportionation to form lithium nitride, which is characteristically red.

2 Li₂NH → LiNH₂ + Li₃N

Lithium imide is thought to have a simple face-centered cubic structure with a Fm3m space group; with N-H bond distances of 0.82(6) Å and a H–N–H bond angle of 109.5°, giving it a similar structure to lithium amide.

Lithium imide is strongly basic and could have uses in organic and organometallic chemistry. It has been investigated as a material for hydrogen storage.