Sigma-Aldrich Sodium hydride, 60 % dispersion in mineral oil

Sigma-Aldrich Sodium Hydride (NaH) is a strong, non-nucleophilic base and powerful reducing agent, supplied as a 60% dispersion in mineral oil for safer handling. This highly reactive reagent is essential in organic synthesis, commonly used for deprotonation, nucleophilic substitutions, and hydride transfer reactions. The mineral oil dispersion minimizes pyrophoric risk and facilitates controlled reaction setups in research and industrial laboratories.

Key Features

• Strong Base & Reductant – Ideal for deprotonating weakly acidic protons in alcohols, phenols, amides, and ketones
• 60% Active Sodium Hydride – Dispersed in mineral oil to improve safety, reduce pyrophoricity, and ease weighing
• Reagent Grade – Quality Level 200 for advanced organic synthesis
• Greener Alternative – Classified as an “Enabling” product under green chemistry principles
• High Melting Point – 800 °C (decomposition), thermally stable under controlled environments

Chemical & Physical Properties

Applications

• Organic Synthesis –
  • Base for deprotonation of alcohols, phenols, amides, and ketones
  • Reducing agent in hydride transfer reactions
  • Reagent in Wittig, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons, and alkylation reactions
• Materials Chemistry –
  • Intercalation into C₆₀ to form superconducting (NaH)₄C₆₀
  • Preparation of sodium aluminum hydride (NaAlH₄) for hydrogen storage
  • Component in solid polymer electrolytes for optoelectronics
  • Thermal energy storage candidate
• Pharmaceuticals –
  • Synthesis of heteroaryl thioethers, common in therapeutic compounds

Safety & Handling

• Hazard Class: Reacts violently with water; releases flammable hydrogen gas
• Precautions: Use in an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon); avoid contact with moisture
• Handling: Use appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection); work in a fume hood
• Storage: Store tightly sealed in a dry area at room temperature

Ordering Information

Sigma-Aldrich Sodium Hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil) is an essential base and reducing agent for high-performance synthetic chemistry. Its enhanced safety profile in oil form allows chemists to use this powerful reagent effectively across academic, industrial, and materials science applications.