Chemical Properties
White, crystalline powder. Stable
in moist and dry air, stable in vacuum to 500C,
decomposed by acids with evolution of hydrogen.
Partially soluble in water and ammonia; insoluble
in ethers and hydrocarbons.
Uses
Reducing agent; source of H-.
Uses
Source of hydrogen, reducing agent for aldehydes, ketones, acid chlorides; foaming agent for plasticsPotassium borohydride is used as a selective reducing agent for ketones, aldehydes and acid chlorides. It is used as a precursor in the production of chloramphenicol, vitamin A, thiopenicol, atropine and scopolamine. It is used to prepare high dispersive copper nanoparticles by the chemical reduction method using potassium borohydride as a reducing agent.
General Description
Potassium borohydride is a white crystalline or powdered solid. When exposed to water Potassium borohydride may react violently and start a fire. Potassium borohydride is toxic by ingestion. Potassium borohydride is used to make other chemicals.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. When exposed to water Potassium borohydride may react violently and start a fire. Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
Reactivity Profile
A reducing agent. Reacts rapidly and dangerously with oxygen and with other oxidizing agents, even weak ones. Thus, they are likely to ignite on contact with alcohols. Hydrides are incompatible with acids, alcohols, amines, and aldehydes.
Hazard
Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Toxic by
ingestion.
Health Hazard
Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion.
Burns quietly in air. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O.
See also BORON COMPOUNDS and
HYDRIDES.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from liquid ammonia. It is slowly hydrolysed by H2O. Its solubility at ~20o in H2O or liquid NH3 is 20%, in MeOH it is 0.7%, in Me2NCHO it is 15% and in MeOH/H2O (1:4) it is 13%. [Jons & Wallbridge Progr Inorg Chem 11 99-231 1970.]
