Lithium borohydride

Lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) is an ionic compound composed of lithium cations and tetrahedral borohydride anions. It is a strong reducing agent and a solid-state hydrogen-storage material.

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Borohydride ion: The tetrahedral anion BH₄⁻, in which four hydrogen atoms surround a boron atom. This anion supplies the hydride character responsible for LiBH₄’s reducing reactions.
Organic reduction: The conversion of organic compounds to more reduced forms through chemical reactions. LiBH₄ reduces functional groups such as esters and carboxylic acids.
Lithium: A chemical element with symbol Li and atomic number 3, the lightest metal. Lithium forms the cation that balances the charge of BH₄⁻ in the salt.
Sodium borohydride: An ionic borohydride salt, NaBH₄, widely used as a reducing agent and hydrogen source. Replacing lithium with sodium changes mass, crystal behavior, and practical reducing properties.
Hydride transfer: A reaction step in which a hydrogen atom is transferred with both bonding electrons as H⁻. LiBH₄ commonly reduces substrates by delivering hydride to electron-deficient atoms.
Lithium aluminum hydride: A powerful hydride reagent, LiAlH₄, used to reduce many organic functional groups. It is a common comparison for LiBH₄’s reducing strength, selectivity, and handling.
Borane: A hydride of boron, including molecular compounds and boron–hydrogen clusters. Borane chemistry provides the broader context for boron–hydrogen bonding in BH₄⁻.
Potassium borohydride: An ionic salt composed of potassium cations and tetrahedral borohydride anions, KBH₄. Its larger cation provides a comparison for LiBH₄’s structure and phase behavior.
Hydrogen evolution: The production of molecular hydrogen through chemical or electrochemical reactions. Hydrolysis and related reactions can make LiBH₄ release hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen storage: Methods and materials for retaining hydrogen for later use. LiBH₄ has high theoretical hydrogen capacity, but practical release and regeneration remain difficult.