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Lithium orotate (LiOr) is a salt composed of orotic acid and lithium, and serves as a superior alternative to lithium carbonate in lithium therapy. As a dietary supplement, LiOr is used for mood regulation, cognitive enhancement, and brain protection, and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). Studies have shown that LiOr crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters cells more easily than lithium carbonate, meaning that LiOr is more potent and requires lower doses[1].

Lithium orotate, also known as vitamin B13. White shiny needle-like crystals or crystalline powder obtained from water, odorless and sour. The melting point was 345-346 °c. Insoluble in cold water and ethanol, slightly soluble in hot water.

Lithium orotate is a nutritional supplement form of lithium, used in micro doses much like zinc or selenium.

The salt is soluble in H2O at 17o and 100o. Best to acidify an aqueous solution of the salt, isolate the free acid (see above) which is recrystallised from H2O (as monohydrate) m 345-347o (345-346o), then dissolve it in EtOH, add an equivalent amount of LiOH in EtOH and evaporate. Its solubility in H2O is 1.28% (17o) and 2.34% (100o). [Bachstez Chem Ber 63 1000 1930, Johnson & Shroeder J Am Chem Soc 54 2941 1932, UV: Shugar & Fox Biochim Biophys Acta 9 199 1952, Beilstein 25 III/IV 1759.]

[1] Anthony G. Pacholko, Lane K. B. (2021). Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy? Brain and Behavior, 11 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2262