Lithium lactate

Lithium lactate is a chemical compound, a salt of lithium and lactic acid with the formula CH₃CH(OH)COOLi,^[4] an amorphous solid, very soluble in water.^[5]

Lithium lactate

Names
Other names Lithium 2-hydroxypropanoate
Identifiers
CAS Number	867-55-0 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	107852
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.602
EC Number	212-761-8
PubChem CID	24867598
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID00883597
InChI InChI=1S/C3H6O3.Li/c1-2(4)3(5)6;/h2,4H,1H3,(H,5,6);/q;+1/p-1 Key: GKQWYZBANWAFMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M
SMILES [Li+].CC(C(=O)[O-])O
Properties
Chemical formula	C 3H 5LiO 3[1][2]
Molar mass	96.01
Appearance	Amorphous solid
Density	g/cm3
Melting point	300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
Solubility in water	Very soluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:[3]
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
Related compounds
Other cations	Sodium lactate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

Synthesis is by neutralization of lactic acid with lithium hydroxide:

LiOH + CH₃CH(OH)COOH → CH₃CH(OH)COOLi + H₂O

Physical properties

Lithium lactate forms an amorphous solid.

It dissolves very well in water^[6] and organic solvents.

The compound demonstrates optical isomerism.

Lithium lactate emits acrid smoke when heated to decomposition.^[7]

Chemical properties

Lithium lactate reacts with triphosgene to obtain lactic acid-O-internal anhydride.^[8] It can be used as a precursor to prepare Li₄SiO₄,^[9] Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C^[10] and other materials.

Use

Lithium lactate is part of drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid from the body.^[11] This is linked to a historical use of lithium to help remove uric acid, but it was later shown that doses needed for it to work would be toxic.^[12]

It is also used as a mood stabilizer.^{[13][failed verification]}