334. Aluminum Calcium Hydride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 16941-10-9
(T-4)-Tetrahydroaluminate(1) calcium (2:1); calcium tetrahydroaluminate; calcium aluminum hydride.
Al2CaH8; mol wt 102.10.
Al 52.85%, Ca 39.25%, H 7.90%.
Ca(AlH4)2.

Description and references

Prepd by the interaction of aluminum chloride and calcium hydride in tetrahydrofuran: Schwab, Wintersberger, Z. Naturforsch. 8b, 690 (1953); Conn, Taylor, US 2999005 (1961 to Merck & Co.).

Properties

Slate-gray mass. The dry pulverized material can ignite spontaneously in moist air and is best handled under dry nitrogen. Reacts violently with water, the ensuing conflagration resembles a display of fireworks. Slightly less violent reaction with alcohols. Sol in dry tetrahydrofuran. Practically insol in dry ether, dioxane, benzene.

Use

Reducing agent for aldehydes, ketones, acid chlorides. Also in the reduction of esters to alcohols, nitriles to amines, aromatic nitro compounds to azo compounds.