Detailed information and wide application of potassium borohydride

Potassium borohydride, a chemical substance with unique properties, has a wide range of applications in many fields. Its detailed physical and chemical properties, preparation methods and various uses make it occupy an indispensable position in industry, scientific research and daily life.

Details of potassium borohydride

Potassium borohydride, whose chemical formula is KBH4, is a white crystalline powder with excellent stability and is not easy to absorb moisture in the air. It is easily soluble in water and also soluble in liquid ammonia, but has a low solubility in methanol and ethanol, and is almost insoluble in diethyl ether, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ether and other hydrocarbons. In addition, its physical properties include a density of 1.18 g/mL at 25°C (lit.), a melting point of 500°C (dec.) (lit.), and 190 grams per liter of water can be dissolved at 25°C.

In addition, potassium borohydride has a specific molecular formula and molecular weight, as well as a series of aliases. During storage, make sure it is in a cool, dry environment and avoid contact with inorganic acids, heat sources and flammable items. These detailed physical and chemical properties and preparation methods have made potassium borohydride widely used in many fields.

1. Physical properties

Potassium borohydride exhibits stability in air and is not hygroscopic. It can dissolve in water and gradually release hydrogen during the dissolution process. At the same time, it is also soluble in liquid ammonia, but has a low solubility in methanol and ethanol, and is almost insoluble in diethyl ether, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ether and other hydrocarbons. In addition, potassium borohydride remains stable in an alkaline environment, but decomposes when encountering inorganic acids, releasing hydrogen. In vacuum, it begins to decompose at about 500°C. Its melting point is 585℃.

Chemical Properties

Potassium borohydride is easily soluble in water, and when the aqueous solution is heated to 100°C, hydrogen can be completely released. In alkaline aqueous solutions, it exhibits considerable stability, but in acidic aqueous solutions it decomposes, releasing hydrogen. At the same time, it is also easy to soluble in liquid ammonia, and its solubility is about 20g/100g liquid ammonia (25℃). The solubility in methanol and ethanol was relatively low, at 0.7 g/100 g methanol and 0.25 g/100 g ethanol (20°C) respectively.

Application areas

Potassium borohydride is often used as a water-soluble reducing agent. Its gentle and stable properties make it widely used in pharmaceuticals, pulp bleaching, precious metal recycling, and preventing heavy metal pollution. It can be used to reduce carbonyl compounds, carbon-nitrogen compounds, and peroxides and hydroperoxides, and can also be used to refine and remove color, smell and oxidize parent bodies in organic chemicals. In addition, it helps pollution control and precious metal recycling in the photography and metal finishing industries, as well as in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals and the preparation and recycling of catalysts.