Lithium aluminium hydride
(Redirected from LiAlH4)
| Lithium aluminium hydride | |
|---|---|
| Other names | LAH |
| Molecular formula | LiAlH4 |
| Molar mass | 37.95 g/mol |
| CAS number | [16853–85–3] |
| Density | ? g/cm3 |
| Solubility (water) | Reactive! |
| Melting point | 125 °C |
| Boiling point | ? °C |
| Disclaimer and references | |
Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4), commonly abbreviated to LAH, is a powerful reducing agent used in organic chemistry. It will convert esters, carboxylic acids and ketones to alcohols; and nitrites into amines.
LAH reacts with water, including atmospheric moisture, and can spontaneously burst into flames. Fortunately, this process is slow enough that LAH normally doesn't require handling under an atmosphere of inert gases.
In an absolutely pure state, LAH is a white solid. Commercial samples are almost always grey due to trace contamination with aluminium metal. White commercial samples of LAH have absorbed enough moisture to become a mixture of lithium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide.
See also
Categories: Chemistry stubs | Inorganic compounds