Lithium ions in aqueous solution

The nature of hydration around Li + in two concentrations of LiCl in D 2 O has been investigated by the methods of neutron diffraction and isotopic substitution. It is found that the hydration number varies with concentration, and that the angle of tilt between the Li-O axis and the plane of the water molecule, though substantial, is less than that expected if a lone pair orbital of the oxygen atom is directed towards the Li + ion.