Lithium lactate

Lithium lactate is a chemical compound, a salt of lithium and lactic acid with the formula CH₃CHCOOLi, an amorphous solid, very soluble in water.

Synthesis

Synthesis is by neutralization of lactic acid with lithium hydroxide:

Physical properties

Lithium lactate forms an amorphous solid.
It dissolves very well in water and organic solvents.
The compound demonstrates optical isomerism.
Lithium lactate emits acrid smoke when heated to decomposition.

Chemical properties

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

Use

Lithium lactate is part of drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid from the body. 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.
It is also used as a mood stabilizer.