aluminum borohydride: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “aluminum borohydride” mean?
A chemical compound with the formula Al(BH₄)₃, consisting of aluminum and borohydride groups.
Audio
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
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
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aluminum borohydride”
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
What is the primary use of aluminum borohydride in chemistry?