| Names | |
|---|---|
| Other names Lithium borate | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.364 |
| EC Number |
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| UNII | |
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| Properties | |
| Li2B4O7 | |
| Molar mass | 169.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | white powder |
| Density | 2.4 g/cm3, solid |
| Melting point | 917 °C (1,683 °F; 1,190 K) |
| moderately soluble | |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Lithium borate,[1] also known aslithium tetraborate,[2]dilithium tetraborate[3] orboron lithium oxide[2] is aninorganic compound with the formula Li2B4O7. A colorless solid, lithium borate is used in makingglasses andceramics. It is not to be confused with B8Li2O13, also called lithium borate.[4]
Its structure consists of a polymeric borate backbone. The Li+ centers are bound to four and five oxygen ligands. Boron centers are trigonal and tetrahedral.[5][6]

Lithium borate can be used in the laboratory asLB buffer forgel electrophoresis ofDNA andRNA. It is also used in the borax fusion method tovitrify mineral powder specimens for analysis byWDXRF spectroscopy.[7]