Lithium Reduction

Lithium (from Greek: λίθος lithos, “stone”) is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silver-white metal belonging to the alkali metal group of chemical elements.
Under standard conditions, it is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable. For this reason, it is typically stored in mineral oil. When cut open, it exhibits a metallic luster, but contact with moist air corrodes the surface quickly to a dull silvery gray, then black tarnish.
Because of its high reactivity, lithium never occurs freely in nature, and instead, appears only in compounds, which are usually ionic. Lithium occurs in a number of pegmatitic minerals, but due to its solubility as an ion, is present in ocean water and is commonly obtained from brines and clays. On a commercial scale, lithium is isolated electrolytically from a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
Lithium’s strong electropositivity make it useful for batteries and in organic synthesis. The largest uses of lithium compounds is as an additive to ceramics and glazes.

Lithium 7 isotope has a very small neutron cross sectional area, making it useful as the counterion for borate salts used in nuclear reactors.

Lithium compounds are widely used in manufacture of high energy density batteries, as well as lubricants and ceramics. Lithium salts have mood stabilizing medicinal properties.