Sodium Hydride

Sodium hydride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaH. It is a white to grayish powder that is highly reactive and flammable. Sodium hydride is commonly used as a strong base, reducing agent, or desiccant in organic synthesis.

The structure of sodium hydride consists of Na+ cations and H− anions arranged in a lattice structure. The H− anions are quite polarizable due to their small size, making them susceptible to nucleophilic attack by electrophiles. This reactivity makes sodium hydride useful for various chemical reactions, such as deprotonation of acids, reduction of carbonyl compounds, and preparation of Grignard reagents.

Sodium hydride is typically prepared by reacting sodium metal with hydrogen gas at high temperatures. It should be handled with care due to its reactivity, as it can ignite spontaneously upon exposure to air or moisture. It should also be stored under inert gas or mineral oil to prevent oxidation.

In summary, sodium hydride is a reactive inorganic compound utilized as a strong base, reducing agent, or desiccant in organic synthesis. Its structure consists of Na+ cations and H− anions arranged in a lattice structure, and it can be prepared by reacting sodium metal with hydrogen gas. Care should be taken when handling and storing sodium hydride due to its reactivity.