... chemical compound of lithium, carbon, and oxygen with the formula Li2CO3. This colorless salt is widely used in the processing of ... effect is due to the formation of the metastable bicarbonate:Li2CO3 + CO2 + H2O → 2 LiHCO3Lithium carbonate, and other carbonates of Group ... 1, do not decompose readily, unlike other carbonates. Li2CO3 decomposes at temperatures greater than 1,300 °C (1,570 ...