MH or MH₂ (binary metal hydride); e.g., NaH, CaH₂, LiAlH₄
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Quick Reference
Formula / Notation
MH or MH₂ (binary metal hydride); e.g., NaH, CaH₂, LiAlH₄
Also Known As
Metal hydride, ionic hydride, covalent hydride, complex hydride
What is Hydride?
A compound of hydrogen with another element. Metal hydrides (e.g., NaH, CaH₂) are ionic and contain H⁻ ions. Covalent hydrides (e.g., H₂O, NH₃, CH₄) are molecular compounds. Hydrogen itself can be classified as a hydride of no other element.
Formula & Notation
MH or MH₂ (binary metal hydride); e.g., NaH, CaH₂, LiAlH₄
Other Names / Synonyms: Metal hydride, ionic hydride, covalent hydride, complex hydride
Properties & Characteristics
Hydrides are binary compounds of hydrogen with a more electropositive element. Three types: ionic hydrides (NaH, CaH₂ — contain H⁻ ions, react vigorously with water), covalent hydrides (H₂O, CH₄, NH₃ — formed by nonmetals), and metallic/interstitial hydrides (H in interstitial sites of transition metal lattices, e.g., PdH₀.₆). Complex hydrides (LiAlH₄, NaBH₄) contain complex anions ([AlH₄]⁻, [BH₄]⁻) and are powerful reducing agents.
Uses & Applications
Metal hydrides are used as hydrogen storage materials (for fuel cells), as reducing agents in organic synthesis (LiAlH₄ reduces carboxylic acids, esters, amides, nitriles to alcohols and amines; NaBH₄ reduces ketones/aldehydes), in metallurgy (thermal decomposition to deposit pure metals), and as rocket propellants.
Safety Information
LiAlH₄ reacts violently with water, protic solvents, and on contact with moisture or air, generating H₂ and Al(OH)₃ with intense heat. It is pyrophoric when finely divided. NaBH₄ is milder but still reactive with protic solvents at elevated temperature. Use dry, inert atmosphere techniques for ionic hydrides.
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Key Facts
TermHydride
FormulaMH or MH₂ (binary metal hydride); e.g., NaH, CaH₂, LiAlH₄
A compound of hydrogen with another element. Metal hydrides (e.g., NaH, CaH₂) are ionic and contain H⁻ ions. Covalent hydrides (e.g., H₂O, NH₃, CH₄) are molecular compounds. Hydrogen itself can be classified as a hydride of no other element.
Metal hydrides are used as hydrogen storage materials (for fuel cells), as reducing agents in organic synthesis (LiAlH₄ reduces carboxylic acids, esters, amides, nitriles to alcohols and amines; NaBH₄ reduces ketones/aldehydes), in metallurgy (thermal decomposition to deposit pure metals), and as ro…
LiAlH₄ reacts violently with water, protic solvents, and on contact with moisture or air, generating H₂ and Al(OH)₃ with intense heat. It is pyrophoric when finely divided. NaBH₄ is milder but still reactive with protic solvents at elevated temperature. Use dry, inert atmosphere techniques for ionic…
The formula or notation for Hydride is: MH or MH₂ (binary metal hydride); e.g., NaH, CaH₂, LiAlH₄
