Sodium aluminium hydride
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Sodium aluminium hydride
| |
| Other names
Aluminum sodium hydride
Sodium alanate Sodium tetrahydroaluminate | |
| Properties | |
| NaAlH4 | |
| Molar mass | 54.003 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 183 °C (361 °F; 456 K) (decomposes) |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| Reacts | |
| Solubility | Reacts with alcohols, carboxylic acids, halocarbons Soluble in diglyme Insoluble in diethyl ether, hydrocarbons |
| Solubility in tetrahydrofuran | 16 g/100 ml |
| Vapor pressure | ~0 mmHg |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar
entropy (S |
89.12 J·mol-1·K-1 |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
-117.04 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Lithium aluminium hydride |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Sodium aluminium hydride, also known as sodium alanate is an white pyrophoric solid, with the chemical formula NaAlH4.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Sodium aluminium hydride reacts with water, releasing hydrogen gas.
- NaAlH4 + 4 H2O → NaAl(OH)4 + 4 H2
Physical
Sodium aluminium hydride is a white solid, which reacts with water, but is soluble in THF.
Availability
Sodium aluminium hydride is sold by chemical suppliers, though it's not easy to get hold of.
Preparation
Sodium aluminium hydride can be synthesized by reacting powdered sodium hydride and aluminium with hydrogen at 200 °C under high pressure (<100 atm). A catalyst, like triethylaluminium is used.
Projects
- Reduce organic compounds
- Make lithium aluminium hydride
Handling
Safety
Sodium aluminium hydride is corrosive, caustic and pyrophoric.
Storage
In air tight containers.
Disposal
Can be safely neutralized by slowly and carefully adding it in large amounts of water or an alcohol. Neutralization should be done outside.
