Characteristic

Sodium borohydride, also known as sodium tetrahydridoborate and sodium tetrahydroborate, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaBH4. This white solid, usually encountered as a powder, is a reducing agent that finds application in chemistry, both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale.

Chemical formula:NaBH₄

Molar mass:37.83 g/mol

Appearance:white crystals;hygroscopic

Density:1.07 g/cm³

Melting point:400 °C (752 °F; 673 K)(decomposes)

Solubility in water:550 g/L

Solubility:soluble in liquid ammonia, amines, pyridine

Crystal structure:Cubic (NaCl)

Application

Sodium borohydride is used as a reagent in the reduction of amino acids and their derivatives. Also used as a catalyst in the ammonia borane dehydrogenation. Sodium borohydride is used as a reducing agent in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. It is also used for wood pulp and as a blowing agent for plastics. It reduces the aldehyde and keto groups to give the corresponding alcohols.