Hydridocontaining

Hydridocontaining refers to chemical compounds that incorporate the hydride ion (H⁻) as a constituent part. The hydride ion is a diatomic species consisting of one proton and two electrons, giving it a net negative charge. This ion is a strong reducing agent and a powerful base.

Hydridocontaining compounds can be broadly classified into two main categories: ionic hydrides and covalent hydrides. Ionic hydrides, also known as saline hydrides, are typically formed between hydrogen and highly electropositive metals, such as alkali metals (Group 1) and alkaline earth metals (Group 2). Examples include sodium hydride (NaH) and calcium hydride (CaH₂). These compounds exist as solid salts with a lattice structure where hydride ions occupy specific sites. They are generally insoluble in organic solvents but react vigorously with water to produce hydrogen gas and the corresponding metal hydroxide.

Covalent hydrides, on the other hand, are formed between hydrogen and elements with greater electronegativity, commonly nonmetals. These include compounds like ammonia (NH₃), methane (CH₄), and water (H₂O). In these compounds, hydrogen is covalently bonded to the other atom. The polarity of the bond depends on the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and the bonded element. Some covalent hydrides, like boranes, exhibit complex bonding structures where hydrogen bridges exist between boron atoms. Covalent hydrides exhibit a wide range of physical properties, from gases to liquids and solids, and their reactivity varies significantly.