Its extreme hygroscopic character makes LiBr useful as a desiccant in certain air conditioning systems.
[9] It forms several crystalline hydrates, unlike the other alkali metal bromides.
A 50–60% aqueous solution of lithium bromide is used in air-conditioning systems as desiccant.
It is included into oxidation and hydroformylation catalysts; it is also used for deprotonation and dehydration of organic compounds containing acidic protons, and for the purification of steroids and prostaglandins.
Heat is quickly generated when lithium bromide is dissolved into water because it has a negative enthalpy of solution.