Separation and purification of lithium by solvent extraction and supported liquid membrane using various commercial and non-commercial extraction has been reviewed. In solvent extraction, extraction by chelating extractants, acidic extractants, solvation extractants and mechanism involved in the extraction has been discussed. Solvent extraction of lithium by solvation extractants like; TOPO, DBM, TBP, and LIX and synergism of diketone with various solvation extractant combinations have been reviewed. Finally, lithium extraction by supported liquid membrane using various extractants has been reviewed. The reported processes mainly lacking in analysis of chemical mechanism involved in the lithium extraction using all these extractants are analyzed and discussed. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry