Sodium Hydride
NaH, Sodium Hydrogen.
- CAS
- 7646-69-7
- EC
- 231-587-3
- Sectors
- Pharma & Healthcare, Mining & Metals
Sodium Hydride (CAS 7646-69-7) is an inorganic strong base and reducing agent supplied as a grey to pale gray powder moistened with oil, usually as a 60% dispersion in mineral oil, and is used for deprotonation, enolate formation and ether synthesis in pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry. It is most commonly supplied as a 60% Dispersion in Mineral Oil to maintain stability and prevent spontaneous ignition upon contact with air or moisture.
This chemical is indispensable for deprotonation reactions, particularly in the formation of enolates and the synthesis of ethers via the Williamson method. Its high reactivity and salt-like structure make it a primary choice for high-precision laboratory and industrial scale chemistry.
Due to its pyrophoric nature, the product requires specialized handling and an inert atmosphere to function safely as a catalyst or reagent. It provides a clean reaction profile, typically releasing Hydrogen Gas as the only byproduct, which simplifies downstream purification processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Typical Properties
| Molecular formula | HNa |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 24 g/mol |
| Appearance | Grey solid |
| Form | powder (moistened with oil) |
| Color | White to pale gray |
| Melting point | 800 °C (decomp) |
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | REACTS |
| Flash point | 185°C |
| HS code | 28500090 |
Typical literature values for identification; lot-specific results are stated on the certificate of analysis (COA) and the safety data sheet (SDS) that accompany every delivery.
Sodium Hydride
Applications
- Organic Synthesis: Serves as a powerful base for the condensation of esters and the alkylation of amines and alcohols in drug development.
- Metallurgy: Utilized as a specialized descaling agent for metals and as a component in the manufacture of high-energy hydrogen storage materials.
- Condensation Catalyst: Facilitates Claisen and Dieckmann condensations by generating nucleophilic species from organic carbonyl compounds.
Safety & Risks
Classified as Hazard Class 4.3 (Dangerous When Wet) and Corrosive. It reacts violently with water; handle exclusively under Inert Gas using Flame-Resistant PPE and Face Shields.
Packaging
1 kg Sealed Tins, 25 kg Drums (dispersion in oil), and 50 kg specialized UN-approved containers.