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Low‐Temperature Synthesis of LiBH 4 by Gas–Solid Reaction
Author(s) -
Friedrichs Oliver,
Borgschulte Andreas,
Kato Shunsuke,
Buchter Florian,
Gremaud Robin,
Remhof Arndt,
Züttel Andreas
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200900471
Subject(s) - diborane , chemistry , borane , dissociation (chemistry) , boranes , yield (engineering) , inorganic chemistry , boron , materials science , catalysis , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Strikingly simple : The low‐temperature and solvent‐free synthesis of LiBH 4 from LiH in a borane atmosphere at ambient pressures is reported. The results indicate that the formation of BH bonds is the limiting step for the formation of LiBH 4 from the elements. Therefore, the use of diborane as a starting reactant allows one to circumvent the reaction barrier for the BB bond dissociation and explains the rather moderate synthesis conditions.The solvent‐free synthesis of LiBH 4 from LiH in a borane atmosphere at 120 °C and ambient pressures is demonstrated. The source of borane is a milled LiBH 4 /ZnCl 2 mixture, in which Zn(BH 4 ) 2 is generated by a metathesis reaction. The yield of the reaction of about 74 % LiBH 4 shows that a bulk reaction is taking place upon borane absorption by LiH. This indicates that the formation of BH bonds is the limiting step for the formation of LiBH 4 from the elements. Therefore, the use of diborane as a starting reactant allows one to circumvent the reaction barrier for the BB bond dissociation and explains the rather moderate synthesis conditions.