Sodium hydride, with the chemical formula NaH, is an inorganic salt. In organic synthesis, sodium hydride is mainly used as a strong base. Sodium hydride is typical of salt hydrides, i.e. it is composed of Na+ and H−, unlike molecular hydrides such as borane, methane, ammonia, and water. Sodium hydride is insoluble in organic solvents but soluble in molten metallic sodium, so almost all reactions involving sodium hydride occur on solid surfaces.
Name | Sodium hydride | EINECS | 231-587-3 |
CAS No. | 7646-69-7 | Density | 1.2 g/cm3 |
PSA | 0.00000 | LogP | 0.00000 |
Solubility | reacts with water | Melting Point | 800 °C (dec.)(lit.)
|
Formula | HNa | Boiling Point | N/A |
Molecular Weight | 23.9977 | Flash Point | 185 °C |
Transport Information | UN 1427 4.3/PG 1 | Appearance | Grey solid |
Appearance and properties: solid/liquid mixture
Density: 1.2
Melting point: 800ºC (dec.)
Flash point: 185ºC
Storage conditions: the warehouse is ventilated and dry at low temperature, and stored separately from oxidants, halogens and strong acids
Use
In organic synthesis, it is used as a shrinking agent, reducing agent, alkylating reagent, catalyst, Clayson's reagent, used in medicine, fragrance, pesticide, dye whitening agent and polymer industry.