Potassium borohydride (chemical formula KBH4) is an inorganic compound. Here is a detailed introduction to it:

1. Basic properties

Appearance: Potassium borohydride is a white crystalline powder or crystal, and sometimes appears to be loose.

Stability: Stable in the air, without hygroscopicity. But when encountering inorganic acid, it will decompose and release hydrogen.

Solubility: It is easily soluble in water, and the formed aqueous solution can completely release hydrogen at 100°C. It is also soluble in liquid ammonia, slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol, and is almost insoluble in diethyl ether, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ether and other hydrocarbons.

Density: The density at 25/4°C is 1.177 g/mL.

Melting point: The melting point generally is given in the range of 356~480℃ or 500℃ (decomposition), which indicates that it may decompose at high temperatures.

Refractive index: Not determined, but approximations are given in some data.

2. Preparation and synthesis

Potassium borohydride is mainly prepared by sodium borohydride method. First, sodium borohydride alkaline solution (i.e., hydrolysate obtained from the hydrolysis process) is prepared by sodium hydride methyl boric acid method, and then metered into a crystallization tank, heated to 60°C under stirring, and potassium hydroxide is added, and heated for 1 hour. ; Then cool and stand still for 12 hours; after centrifugation, the crystals were washed with ethanol and dried at 80°C for 16 hours to obtain the finished potassium borohydride product.

III. Usage

Chemical Industry: Potassium borohydride is mainly used as a reducing agent and plays an important role in organic synthesis. It can be used in the reduction reaction of aldehydes, ketones, acid chlorides, and in the production of hydrogen and other borohydrides.

Paper industry: In the paper industry, potassium borohydride can be used as an improver for cellulose, as well as pulp bleaching, etc.

Wastewater treatment: Potassium borohydride can also be used for the treatment of mercury-containing wastewater.

Pharmaceutical Industry: Potassium borohydride has anti-cancer effects and can be used to treat certain malignant tumors, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, etc. In addition, it can be used to treat certain neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

Synthetic potassium cellulose: Potassium borohydride is one of the important raw materials in synthetic potassium cellulose.

Precious metal recycling: In the field of precious metal recycling, potassium borohydride can serve as an effective reducing agent to help recover precious metals from wastewater.

Preventing heavy metal pollution: In the field of environmental protection, potassium borohydride helps prevent pollution and harm caused by heavy metals to the environment and organisms.