Knowra Sodium hydride Sodium hydride Sodium hydride (NaH) is an ionic solid composed of sodium cations and hydride anions. It is used chiefly as a strong base in chemical synthesis and reacts readily with water to release hydrogen gas.
Hydride ion : The hydrogen anion, H⁻, found in ionic hydrides and some metal complexes. This anion accepts protons and drives sodium hydride’s characteristic base reactions.
Williamson ether synthesis : A reaction that forms an ether by coupling an alkoxide with an organic halide. Sodium hydride can generate the alkoxide nucleophile from an alcohol.
Ionic bond : An electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in a chemical compound. Sodium hydride’s crystal consists of Na⁺ and H⁻ held together by this attraction.
Sodium metal : The elemental alkali metal sodium, a highly reactive solid that forms Na⁺ in many reactions. Sodium hydride is an ionic compound, not elemental sodium, and its reactivity is governed by hydride ions.
Pyrophoricity : The tendency of a substance to ignite spontaneously in air at or below room temperature. Fine sodium hydride can ignite in air, especially when contaminated or dispersed.
Deprotonation : The removal of a proton from a molecule, producing its conjugate base. Sodium hydride commonly converts weak acids into reactive anions by removing a proton.
Wittig reaction : A reaction that converts an aldehyde or ketone into an alkene using a phosphorus ylide. Sodium hydride can deprotonate phosphonium salts to form the required ylide.
Crystal structure : The ordered three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline solid. The arrangement of ions explains sodium hydride’s solid-state properties.
Lithium aluminum hydride : A powerful hydride-donor reagent, LiAlH₄, used to reduce many functional groups. It is a broadly useful reducing reagent, whereas sodium hydride is chiefly used as a base.
Chemical safety : Practices and controls used to prevent harm from chemical exposure, reactions, and storage. Its water reactivity, hydrogen release, and caustic products require rigorous controls.
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