borohydride: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “borohydride” mean?
A compound containing the anion BH₄⁻, where boron is bonded to hydrogen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compound containing the anion BH₄⁻, where boron is bonded to hydrogen.
A reducing agent in chemistry, typically a salt like sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), used to donate hydride ions in organic and inorganic synthesis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms (e.g., 'colour' vs 'color' in descriptions) may differ.
Connotations
None beyond the technical chemical meaning.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and restricted to chemical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “borohydride” in a Sentence
[SUBSTANCE] is reduced with borohydride.[REACTION] employs borohydride as a reducing agent.Add borohydride to [SOLUTION].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “borohydride” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ketone was borohydride-reduced to the secondary alcohol.
- They decided to borohydride-treat the mixture.
American English
- The ketone was borohydride reduced to the secondary alcohol.
- We need to borohydride treat the sample.
adjective
British English
- The borohydride reduction protocol is standard.
- Use a borohydride-containing solution.
American English
- The borohydride reduction procedure is standard.
- Use a borohydride containing solution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in procurement or R&D documents for chemical suppliers.
Academic
Common in chemistry papers, textbooks, and laboratory manuals pertaining to organic synthesis or inorganic chemistry.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in synthetic chemistry and related industrial processes (e.g., pharmaceutical manufacturing, fine chemicals).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “borohydride”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “borohydride”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “borohydride”
- Mispronouncing as 'boro-hydride' with equal stress /ˌbɒr.ə.ˈhaɪ.draɪd/. Correct stress is on the third syllable: /-ˈhaɪ-/.
- Using 'borohydride' as a general term for any boron-hydrogen compound.
- Incorrect spelling: 'boro-hydride', 'borohidride'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is the most commonly encountered borohydride in teaching and industrial labs.
It can be. Many borohydrides react vigorously with water and acids, releasing flammable hydrogen gas. They must be handled with appropriate safety precautions.
It acts as a source of the hydride ion (H⁻), which is a nucleophile that attacks electron-deficient centres like the carbon in a carbonyl group (C=O), reducing it to an alcohol.
In informal technical jargon, it is sometimes used as a verb (e.g., 'to borohydride a ketone'), meaning to reduce a substrate using a borohydride reagent.
A compound containing the anion BH₄⁻, where boron is bonded to hydrogen.
Borohydride is usually technical / scientific in register.
Borohydride: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːrəʊˈhaɪdraɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːroʊˈhaɪdraɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Boro' (from Boron) + 'Hydride' (H⁻ ion). A hydride ion from a boron compound.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL or DONOR (for transferring hydrogen in a specific form).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'borohydride' primarily used?