Sodium hydride represented by the chemical formula NaH or HNa ^[1] is a highly reactive inorganic ionic compound and a strong base.  Due to its high reactivity, it is usually available as a gray solid dispersed in mineral oil that allows safe handling ^[2].

Sodium Hydride Identification
CAS Number	7646-69-7 [1]
PubChem CID	24758 [1]
ChemSpider ID	23144 [3]
EC Number	231-587-3 [1]

How to Make It

Sodium hydride can be prepared by a direct reaction between hydrogen gas and sodium metal ^[2].

2 Na + H₂ = 2NaH

Properties and Characteristics of Sodium Hydride

General Properties
Molar mass/molecular weight		23.998 g/mol [1]
Physical Properties
Color/appearance		Silvery to whitish powder [1]
Melting point/freezing point		800°C, 1472°F [2]
Boiling point		N/A [4]
Flash point		N/A [1]
Density		1.396 g cm-3 [4]
State of matter at room temperature (normal phase)		Solid [1]
Chemical Properties
Solubility in water		Reacts [5]
pH		>7 (basic) [2]
Atomic Properties
Crystal structure	Octahedral [2]

Prominent Reactions

NaH reacts violently with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas that gets ignited by the heat of the reaction ^[5].

NaH + H₂O = NaOH + H₂

Alcohols react with sodium hydride to produce alkoxide ions. In the below reaction, ethanol reacts with NaH forming sodium ethoxide and hydrogen ^[10].

CH₃CH₂OH + NaH = CH₃CH₂O^–Na⁺ + H₂

Similarly, methanol reacts with sodium hydride producing the sodium salt of methanol and hydrogen gas ^[8].

CH₃OH + NaH = CH₃ONa + H₂

Sodium Hydride Uses

1. As a powerful reducing and deprotonating agent for many organic reactions ^[2].
2. As a desiccant or drying agent for lab chemicals ^[2].
3. Its application as a hydrogen storage agent in fuel cell vehicles is being explored due to its ability to release hydrogen ^[2].
4. As a strong base, it finds application in organic and inorganic fine chemical preparation ^[6].

Is It Dangerous

NaH is a severe irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory system causing burns and is harmful if ingested. It is a highly inflammable and corrosive compound. Precaution must be taken against an explosion hazard if it comes in contact with water ^{[2, 7]}. When it is heated to the point of decomposition, it emits highly poisonous fumes of oxides of sodium ^[1]. After a reaction, unwanted sodium hydride should be destroyed by careful quenching or disposal ^[9].

Interesting Facts

• In spite of its high basicity, NaH is not nucleophilic ^[12].

Sodium Hydride (NaH) Price

It costs around $30-50 per kilogram. The price may vary with suppliers ^[11].

References
1. Sodium Hydride (NaH) – Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Sodium hydride Formula – Sodium hydride Uses, Properties, Structure and Formula – Softschools.com
3. Sodium Hydride – Chemspider.com
4. Sodium Hydride – Americanelements.com
5. Sodium Hydride – Onlinelibrary.wiley.com
6. Sodium Hydride – Chemicalland21.com
7. Sodium Hydride – Cameochemicals.noaa.gov
8. What is the reaction between sodium hydride and methanol? – Answers.yahoo.com
9. Sodium Hydride – Sites.chemengr.ucsb.edu
10. Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, Epoxides, Thiols, &Sulfides – Chem.latech.edu
11. Sodium hydride price – Alibaba.com
12. Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry – Chem.ucla.edu