Sodium borohydride

Sodium borohydride is an inorganic compound shown as a white to off-white fine crystalline powder or lump. Rapid reaction with methanol will produce hydrogen at room temperature. It is hygroscopic and easily deliquesced upon absorbing water. Boiling point: 500 °C (vacuum); melting point: 400 °C; soluble in water and lower alcohols, ammonia, insoluble in ether, benzene, hydrocarbons; relative density (water = 1): 1.07; Sodium borohydride is usually used as reducing agent in synthesis of inorganic and organic synthesis. Sodium borohydride has a strong selective reduction, being able to selectively reduce a carbonyl group is to a hydroxyl group without reacting with the carbon-carbon double bond and triple bond reaction. A small amount of sodium borohydride can restore the nitrile to the aldehyde with the excess amount being reduced to the amine.