Sodium borohydride . Also called Tetrahidruroborato sodium , is a chemical compound consisting of one atom of sodium , atom boron and C4 hydrogen , the most common form in which can be found in nature is NaBH 4 , was discovered in the 1940s by a team led by HI Schlessinger .
Summary
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- 1 Obtaining
- 2 Reactions
- 1 Synthesis of alcohols by reduction of aldehydes and ketones
- 3 Applications
- 4 Storage
- 5 Sources
Obtaining
Sodium borohydride is obtained by reacting sodium hydride with trimethyl borate at 250 ° C in THF and under pressure.
B (OCH 3 ) 3 + 4 NaH → NaBH 4 + 3 NaOCH 3
It can also be synthesized by the action of NaH on pulverized borosilicate glass .
Reactions
Synthesis of alcohols by reduction of aldehydes and ketones
Ethanal [1] is converted by reduction with borohydride sodium in ethanol [2].
Applications
- Sodium borohydride is also used in experimental fuel cells as a means of storing hydrogen.
- It is used in the reduction of aldehydes and ketonesto alcohols .
- BH4- is an excellent ligand for metal ions, especially with highly electropositive metals, for example Zr (BH4) 4.