Lithium bromide

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

Lithium bromide is used in air-conditioning systems as desiccant. Lithium bromide is used as a salt in absorption chilling along with water (see absorption refrigerator). Otherwise the salt is useful as a reagent in organic synthesis. For example, it reversibly forms adducts with some pharmaceuticals.

Medical applications

Lithium bromide was used as a sedative, beginning in the early 1900s, but it fell into disfavor in the 1940s when some heart patients died after using it as a salt substitute. Like lithium carbonate and lithium chloride, it was used as treatment for bipolar disorder.

Doses as low as 225 mg/day of LiBr can lead to bromism.