Knowra Potassium hydride Potassium hydride Potassium hydride (KH) is an ionic solid composed of potassium cations and hydride anions. It is a strong base that reacts vigorously with water, releasing hydrogen gas.
Hydride : A hydrogen atom or molecule bearing a negative formal charge, or a compound containing hydrogen in that state. Hydride anions are the reactive component of potassium hydride.
Deprotonation : Removal of a proton from a molecule, producing its conjugate base. Potassium hydride can remove acidic hydrogen atoms from organic compounds.
Potassium : A soft, reactive alkali metal with atomic number 19. Potassium atoms lose electrons to form the cations in KH.
Pyrophoricity : The tendency of a substance to ignite spontaneously on exposure to air. Finely divided potassium hydride can ignite during handling, especially when exposed to moisture.
Acid–base reaction : A reaction involving proton transfer or, more broadly, electron-pair donation and acceptance. Hydride acts as a strong base by accepting a proton to form hydrogen gas.
Organometallic chemistry : The study of compounds containing bonds between carbon and metals. KH can generate reactive organometallic reagents by deprotonating suitable substrates.
Ionic bond : An electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. This attraction holds potassium cations and hydride anions together in the solid.
Hydrogen safety : Practices for preventing ignition, explosion, and exposure hazards involving hydrogen gas. Water reactions with KH generate flammable hydrogen that can accumulate or ignite.
Potassium hydroxide : An inorganic compound, KOH, consisting of potassium cations and hydroxide anions. Water converts potassium hydride into this hydroxide while releasing hydrogen.
Williamson ether synthesis : A method for preparing ethers by reacting an alkoxide with an alkyl halide. KH can generate the alkoxide nucleophile used in this synthesis.
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