Aluminium hydride

• Alan
• Aluminum hydride

Colorless powder

Fixed

1.48 g · cm -3

100 ° C ( decomposition)

-46.0 KJ / mol

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Aluminum hydride, molecular formula ( AlH3 ) x, also called Alan, is a colorless powder, which decomposes above 100 ° C into its components. Aluminum hydride is extremely moisture and susceptible to oxidation. Burns explosively in air and can be used for storage of hydrogen in hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Properties

Aluminum hydride is known five crystalline phases ( α, γ, δ, ζ ) of which has only the structure of the α - phase was investigated. By incorporation of 0.01 to 3 percent by weight magnesium, the vacuum stability of α - aluminum hydride can be significantly increased. And the resistance to hydrolysis can be increased by annealing. Thus, α - treated aluminum hydride is being investigated intensively as an energetic additive for rocket propellants and explosives.

Synthesis

The preparation of aluminum hydride is advantageously carried out by the reaction of aluminum chloride with lithium aluminum hydride in diethyl ether:

This is first obtained as a monomer compound, etherate:

Formed, which gradually transforms into the high polymer aluminum hydride.

Responsiveness

Aluminum hydride reacts strongly with water to hydrogen release in accordance with:

Together with other metal hydrides formed aluminum hydride alanates

Due to its insolubility, it has little significance as the reducing agent.

Swell

• Aluminum compound
• Hydride