Preparation of metallic lithium by the reaction of metallic potassium with lithium chloride

The reaction of metallic potassium with lithium chloride was studied for the effects of time, temperature, and concentration on the yield and purity of metallic lithium. For temperatures above 750/sup 0/C the yields were in the range of 51 to 68% with purities of 84 to 96 wt %. Essentially all of the impurity was unreacted potassium which should be easily removed. A comparison of chemical potentials obtained from the literature indicated that other reactants exist which should produce lithium in higher yields.