| Lithium Orthoarsenate is obtained as the hemihydrate, 2Li3AsO4.H2O, by the action of lithium carbonate on arsenic acid and allowing the solution to crystallise. The anhydrous salt is prepared by recrystallising this hydrate from fused lithium chloride; rhombic crystals of density 3.07 at 15° C. are obtained. These are soluble in dilute acetic acid; they are extremely stable and may be heated to a white heat without fusion. With excess of arsenic acid the normal salt yields deliquescent rhombic prisms of lithium dihydrogen arsenate, 2LiH2AsO4.3H2O, which with water revert to the normal salt. |