Hydrides - Applications

Applications

• Hydrides such as, sodium borohydride, lithium aluminium hydride, diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAL) and super hydride, are commonly used as reducing agents in chemical synthesis. The hydride adds to an electrophilic center, typically unsaturated carbon.

• Hydrides such as sodium hydride and potassium hydride are used as strong bases in organic synthesis. The hydride reacts with the weak Bronsted acid releasing H₂.

• Hydrides such as calcium hydride are used as desiccants, i.e. drying agents, to remove trace water from organic solvents. The hydride reacts with water forming hydrogen and hydroxide salt. The dry solvent can then be distilled or vac transferred from the "solvent pot".

• Hydrides are important in storage battery technologies such as Nickel-metal hydride battery. Various metal hydrides have been examined for use as a means of hydrogen storage for fuel cell-powered electric cars and other purposed aspects of a hydrogen economy.

• Hydride complexes are catalysts and catalytic intermediates in a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic cycles. Important examples include hydrogenation, hydroformylation, hydrosilylation, hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Even certain enzymes, the hydrogenase, operate via hydride intermediates. The energy carrier NADH reacts as a hydride donor or hydride equivalent.

• According to Ergenics Corp, a company from New Jersey, they developed a powerful low temperature difference heat engine, which uses Hydrides set in pipes, which release hydrogen in heat, and accept hydrogen when cooled. The released hydrogen pushes the piston of a gas pump when heated, and allows it back in when cooled.