Substance profile
Lithium aluminum hydride
Lithium aluminum hydride is a microcrystalline powder when pure; gray when aluminum impurity present with a none odor.
01 · Identification
What Lithium aluminum hydride is
Lithium aluminum hydride is a microcrystalline powder when pure; gray when aluminum impurity present with a none odor. Its molecular formula is AlH4Li and its molecular weight is 38 g/mol. It melts at 125 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
Other names for Lithium aluminum hydride
- aluminium lithium hydride
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Lithium aluminum hydride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 125 °C (257 °F) | above this value | HSDB |
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.92 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 0.917 g/cm³ | at 15 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Solubility (parts/100 parts solvent): 30 (ether); 13 (tetrahydrofuran); 10 (dimethylcellosolve); 2 (dibutyl ether); 0.1 (dioxane). | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Lithium aluminum hydride can react explosively with carbon dioxide in sodium bicarbonate at high temp. | HSDB | |
| ... Hydrides can form dust clouds which can explode due to contact with flames, sparks, heat or oxidizers. | Hydrides | HSDB | |
| The explosive thermal decomposition of the aluminate at 150-170 °C is due to partially hydrolyzed decomposition products. | decomposes | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Lithium aluminum hydride
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from ketones, aldehydes, nitrogenous organic compounds.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts violently with air, acids, alcohols, benzoyl peroxide, boron trifluoride etherate, (2-chloromethyl furan + ethyl acetate), diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, (nitriles + water), perfluorosuccinamide, perfluorosuccinamide plus water, tetrahydrofuran, water.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Lithium aluminum hydride in the storage compatibility matrix →