General Description
A white powder. Strong irritant when dissolved in water.
Reactivity Profile
A base. Decomposed by acids with the evolution of carbon dioxide. Fluorine burns fiercely on contact with LITHIUM CARBONATE(554-13-2).
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Potential Exposure
Lithium carbonate is used in treatment
of manic-depressive psychoses; to make ceramics and porcelain glaze; varnishes, dyes, pharmaceuticals, coating of
arc-welding electrodes; battery alloys; nucleonics, luminescent paints; glass ceramics; lubricating greases; in aluminum production
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way
valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and
isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact
with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact,
avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim
warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion,
or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that
medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved
and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As
first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized
paramedic may consider administering a drug or other
inhalation therapy
Shipping
UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard
Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical
Name Required
Incompatibilities
The aqueous solution is a strong base.
Reacts violently with acids, powdered calcium and fluorine.Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides,
permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine,
etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away
from alkaline materials, strong acids, powdered calcium,
fluorine, moisture. Corrodes aluminum, copper, zinc.
Physical properties
White monoclinic crystals; refractive index 1.428; density 2.11 g/cm3; melts at 723°C; decomposes at 1,310°C; low solubility in water (1.54 g/100g) at 0°C; 1.32 g//100g at 20°C), solubility decrease with temperature (0.72g/100g at 100°C); insoluble in acetone and ethanol.
Definition
lithium carbonate: A white solid,Li2CO3; r.d. 2.11; m.p. 723°C; decomposesabove 1310°C. It is producedcommercially by treating the ore with sulphuric acid at 250°C andleaching the product to give a solutionof lithium sulphate. The carbonateis then obtained by precipitationwith sodium carbonate solution.Lithium carbonate is used in the preventionand treatment of manicdepressivedisorders. It is also usedindustrially in ceramic glazes.
Indications
Lithium inhibits thyroidal incorporation of I- into Tg, as
well as the secretion of thyroid hormones, but it does
not inhibit the activity of the Na+-I- symporter or the
accumulation of I- within the thyroid. Lithium offers no
particular advantage over drugs of the thionamide class
but may be employed for temporary control of thyrotoxicosis
in patients who are allergic to both thionamides
and iodide.
Brand name
Eskalith (GlaxoSmithKline); Lithane (Bayer); Lithobid
(JDS); Lithonate (Solvay Pharmaceuticals).
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Clinical Use
Treatment and prophylaxis of mania, manic
depressive illness, and recurrent depression
Aggressive or self-mutilating behaviour
Side effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, increased thirst, increased frequency of urination, weight gain, and mildly shaking hands (fine tremor) may occur. These should go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.
Synthesis
Lithium carbonate is synthesized by reacting lithium salts with soda
or potash, followed by purification of the salt, which is not readily soluble [75].
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II antagonists:
lithium excretion reduced - avoid.
Analgesics: NSAIDs and ketorolac reduce excretion
of lithium.
Anti-arrhythmics: increased risk of ventricular
arrhythmias with amiodarone - avoid.
Antidepressants: increased risk of CNS effects
with SSRIs; risk of toxicity with tricyclics; possible
increased serotonergic effects with venlafaxine.
Antipsychotics: increased risk of extrapyramidal side
effects and possibly neurotoxicity with clozapine,
flupentixol, haloperidol, phenothiazines, risperidone
or zuclopenthixol; increased risk of extrapyramidal
side effects with sulpiride; possible risk of toxicity
with olanzapine.
Cytotoxics: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias
with arsenic trioxide.
Dapoxetine: increased risk of serotonergic effects -
avoid.
Diuretics: lithium excretion reduced by loop
diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone
antagonists and thiazides; lithium excretion
increased by acetazolamide.
Methyldopa: neurotoxicity may occur without
increased lithium levels.
Metabolism
Lithium is excreted mainly unchanged in the urine; only
a small amount can be detected in the faeces, saliva, and
sweat.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from water. Its solubility decreases as the temperature is raised. The solubility in H2O is 1.3% at ~10o, and 0.7% at ~100o. [D.nges in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I p 987 1963, Caley & Elving Inorg Synth I 1 1939.]
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