5527. Lithium Carbonate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 554-13-2
Carbonic acid lithium salt (1:2); Camcolit (Norgine); Carbolith (Valeant); Eskalith (GSK); Hypnorex (Sanofi-Synthelabo); Limas (Taisho); Liskonum (GSK); Lithane (Bayer); Lithicarb (Aspen); Lithobid (Solvay); Plenur (Ipsen); Priadel (Sanofi-Aventis); Quilonum-retard (GSK); Téralithe (Aventis).
CLi2O3; mol wt 73.89.
C 16.25%, Li 18.79%, O 64.96%.
Li2CO3.

Description and references

Purification: Caley, Elving, Inorg. Synth. 1, 1 (1939). Initial report of effect in mental illness: J. F. J. Cade, Med. J. Aust. 2, 349 (1949). Early review of biology and pharmacology of lithium: M. Schou, Pharmacol. Rev. 9, 17-58 (1957); of toxicity: idem, Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 15, 70-84 (1958). Thermal behavior: A. Reisman, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 80, 3558 (1958). Acute toxicity data: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969). Toxicological studies in mammals: Gralla, McIlhenny, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 21, 428 (1972). Pharmacokinetics: J. S. Ku et al., Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. Toxicol. 25, 648 (1987). Clinical studies: J. Rybakowski et al., Int. Pharmacopsychiatry 15, 86 (1980); B. F. Kjellman et al., Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 62, 32 (1980). Review of development of use: G. Chouinard, Union Med. Can. 109, 221-224, 226, 304 (1980). Comprehensive description: H. C. Stober, Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 15, 367-391 (1986).

Properties

White, light, alkaline powder. d 2.11. mp 720 ±1°. One gram dissolves in 78 ml cold, 140 ml boiling water; dissolved by dil acids. Practically insol in alcohol. LD50 orally in rats: 0.71 g/kg (Smyth).

Use

In the production of glazes on ceramic and electrical porcelain. Reagent in synthetic organic chemistry. Matrix modifier.

Therapeutic Category

Antimanic.

Keywords

Antimanic