aluminum borohydride: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Rare
UK/ˌæl.jʊˈmɪn.i.əm ˌbɔːr.əʊˈhaɪ.draɪd/US/əˈluː.mɪ.nəm ˌbɔːr.oʊˈhaɪ.draɪd/

Technical/Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “aluminum borohydride” mean?

A chemical compound with the formula Al(BH₄)₃, consisting of aluminum and borohydride groups.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A chemical compound with the formula Al(BH₄)₃, consisting of aluminum and borohydride groups.

A volatile, pyrophoric compound used primarily as a reducing agent in organic synthesis and as a hydrogen storage material in energy research.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In British English, the element name is typically spelled 'aluminium', but the compound name 'aluminum borohydride' is standard in chemical nomenclature internationally.

Connotations

None beyond technical/scientific meaning.

Frequency

Extremely low in general language; appears only in specialised chemical literature. Usage frequency is comparable in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “aluminum borohydride” in a Sentence

N + of + aluminum borohydridealuminum borohydride + V (e.g., reduces, decomposes)V + aluminum borohydride (e.g., synthesize, handle)

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
synthesis of aluminum borohydridealuminum borohydride reductionaluminum borohydride complex
medium
hydrogen storage using aluminum borohydrideproperties of aluminum borohydridereaction with aluminum borohydride
weak
compound aluminum borohydrideapplication of aluminum borohydridestudy aluminum borohydride

Examples

Examples of “aluminum borohydride” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The aluminium borohydride solution must be handled under argon.

American English

  • The aluminum borohydride catalyst showed high activity.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare; might appear in technical reports of chemical or energy storage companies.

Academic

Exclusively in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering publications and lectures.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

Primary domain; used in research papers, safety data sheets, and laboratory protocols.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “aluminum borohydride”

Strong

aluminium tetrahydroborate

Neutral

Al(BH₄)₃aluminium borohydride

Weak

aluminum boron hydride complex

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “aluminum borohydride”

oxidizing agentaluminum oxide

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “aluminum borohydride”

  • Misspelling as 'aluminium boro*hydrate*' (incorrect suffix).
  • Incorrect pluralisation ('aluminum borohydrides' is rarely used).
  • Confusing it with 'sodium borohydride', a more common reducing agent.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is pyrophoric (ignites spontaneously in air) and must be handled with extreme care under inert atmosphere.

Aluminum borohydride (Al(BH₄)₃) is more reactive and volatile than sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), which is a common, safer laboratory reducing agent.

Yes, it has a high hydrogen content by weight and is researched as a potential chemical hydrogen storage material, though practical applications face challenges with reversibility and stability.

In British English: /ˌbɔːr.əʊˈhaɪ.draɪd/. In American English: /ˌbɔːr.oʊˈhaɪ.draɪd/.

A chemical compound with the formula Al(BH₄)₃, consisting of aluminum and borohydride groups.

Aluminum borohydride is usually technical/scientific in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Aluminum Binds Hydrogen: Remember 'AlB-H4' as 'Aluminum Bonds (with) Hydrogen four times'.

Conceptual Metaphor

A hydrogen locker (storage metaphor).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
For safety, must be stored in an inert atmosphere due to its pyrophoric nature.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary use of aluminum borohydride in chemistry?