hidruros

Hydrides, or hidruros in Spanish, are binary compounds composed of hydrogen bonded to another element. They are broadly classified into ionic hydrides, covalent (molecular) hydrides, and metallic hydrides. In ionic hydrides, common examples are alkali and alkaline earth hydrides such as NaH and CaH2. These compounds consist of a lattice of metal cations and hydride anions (H-); they are typically basic and react with water to liberate hydrogen gas.

Covalent hydrides form when hydrogen bonds covalently with nonmetals. They range from simple molecules (NH3, H2O, CH4) to more complex or polymeric species; their bonding and properties vary widely, with many being volatile gases at room temperature. Metallic hydrides arise when hydrogen occupies interstitial or nonstoichiometric positions in metal lattices, as in PdH_x or TiH2; they often exhibit high hydrogen storage capacity and can release hydrogen under heating or pressure changes.

Nomenclature and chemistry: binary hydrides are named by the metal or element followed by hydride (e.g., sodium hydride NaH). Hydrogen in ionic hydrides behaves as H-, whereas in covalent hydrides it shares electrons. Synthesis often involves direct combination of hydrogen with the element at elevated temperature or reactive reduction of the element, and hydrides may react with water or acids to release hydrogen gas.

Applications: hydrides are important as reducing agents (e.g., LiAlH4), in hydrogen storage technologies, and in synthesis. Hydride chemistry is central to industrial chemistry and catalysis, with safety considerations due to reactivity and pyrophoricity.