Hydride facts for kids

A hydride is a special kind of chemical compound. It's made when hydrogen atoms join with atoms of other elements. Almost every element on the periodic table can form a hydride, except for a few Noble gases. Hydrides can be very different from each other, but some share similar features.

Different Kinds of Hydrides

Ionic Hydrides

These hydrides are formed when hydrogen bonds with very reactive metals, like those in the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal groups (think sodium or calcium). They have a strong type of bond called an ionic bond. This means one atom gives electrons to another. Ionic hydrides are very reactive and don't easily dissolve in liquids.

Metallic Hydrides

Metallic hydrides are also known as interstitial hydrides. They keep many properties of metals, such as being good at carrying electricity and heat. They are called "interstitial" because hydrogen atoms can fit into the tiny spaces within the metal's structure. Most metallic hydrides are made from metals in groups 3 to 5 of the periodic table. Some of these hydrides are used in important technologies, like the nickel-metal hydride battery found in many rechargeable devices.

Covalent Hydrides

Covalent hydrides have a different type of bond called a covalent bond. This means the hydrogen atoms share electrons with the other element. Many elements from the p-block of the periodic table form covalent hydrides. These hydrides can sometimes be unstable, meaning they might react easily with air or water, or break down when heated. Common examples you might know are hydrocarbons (which are hydrides of carbon, like methane), ammonia (a hydride of nitrogen), and even water (a hydride of oxygen).

Images for kids

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  Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane is an example of a hydride with a weak bond to H. It is used as a source of hydrogen atoms.

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  Metal hydrides (like H2RhCl(PPh3)2 from Wilkinson's catalyst) are important steps in a process called hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen to other chemicals.

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  This image shows a metal hydride designed for storing hydrogen gas.

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  This is the structure of [HRu6(CO)18]−, a metal cluster with a hydrogen atom (small turquoise sphere) tucked inside its structure.

See also

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