Sodium hydride

Sodium hydride (CAS 7646-69-7), commonly abbreviated as NaH, is a strong inorganic base used across chemical synthesis and industrial processing. It functions primarily as a deprotonating agent and catalyst.

This chemical enables reactions that require highly basic conditions. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, polymer chemists, and specialty chemical producers rely on it to drive alkylation, condensation, and cyclization reactions.

In pharmaceutical synthesis, NaH deprotonates active pharmaceutical ingredient precursors to facilitate N- and O-alkylation steps. These steps are often difficult to achieve with milder bases.

Polymer and rubber producers use it to initiate anionic polymerization and to synthesize flame-retardant intermediates. These intermediates are then incorporated into various finished materials.

Biotechnology and fine chemical workflows depend on NaH for generating reactive carbanions and enolates in multi-step synthetic routes. It is essential for complex molecular construction.

It also functions as a catalyst precursor in reactions where a highly reactive, non-nucleophilic base is required. This allows for substrate activation without competing side reactions.

Sodium hydride is most commonly supplied as a dispersion in mineral oil. The 60% NaH concentration is the standard commercial form that balances handling safety with reactivity.

Pure, dry NaH is available for specialized laboratory and industrial applications requiring solvent-free conditions. Supply is offered in technical grade, with packaging options ranging from small quantities to bulk drums.