Lithium acetate

Lithium acetate (CAS 546-89-4), commonly abbreviated as LiOAc, is a lithium salt of acetic acid used across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. It functions primarily as a buffering agent, pH regulator, and chemical intermediate in processes requiring precise ionic control. In molecular biology and genetic research, LiOAc is a standard reagent for yeast transformation protocols, enabling efficient introduction of foreign DNA into yeast cells. This is a critical step in strain development and recombinant protein production.

Pharmaceutical formulators use it as a buffering component in drug synthesis and as a lithium source in active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. In personal care formulations, it contributes to pH stabilization in products where conventional buffers may interfere. Industrial catalysis processes also employ LiOAc as a catalyst or catalyst precursor in organic synthesis reactions, including esterification. Lithium acetate is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules, available in both anhydrous and dihydrate forms.

Buyers should confirm the hydration state, as it affects lithium content and formulation calculations. Standard grades include reagent-grade and ACS-grade for laboratory and life science procurement, with technical-grade material available for industrial applications. Packaging ranges from small laboratory quantities to bulk industrial volumes. This versatile chemical ensures stability and performance across diverse manufacturing sectors, from high-precision biotechnology to large-scale chemical synthesis.