hydride
C2Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A compound in which hydrogen is bonded with a more electropositive element or group.
In chemistry, a compound formed when hydrogen combines with another, usually more electropositive, element. The hydrogen atom carries a negative charge (as H⁻) in ionic hydrides or is part of a covalent bond.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strictly a chemical term. Not to be confused with general hydrogen compounds (e.g., water is H₂O but not a hydride). The term specifies the hydrogen atom is in its anionic form or covalently bonded in a way that gives it hydride character.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation of the final syllable may vary slightly.
Connotations
None beyond its precise chemical definition.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to technical contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Element] hydridehydride of [Element][Adjective] hydrideVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used, except perhaps in highly specific industrial contexts like battery or semiconductor manufacturing.
Academic
Exclusively used in chemistry, materials science, and related engineering fields.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain. Used to describe specific chemicals (e.g., fuel cell catalysts, reducing agents, hydrogen storage materials).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The metal can hydride under high pressure of hydrogen.
- The alloy is known to hydride and embrittle.
American English
- The material hydrides readily, storing hydrogen.
- Zirconium alloys can hydride in reactor environments.
adjective
British English
- The hydride content of the sample was measured.
- They studied the hydride phase of the material.
American English
- The hydride storage tank was tested for safety.
- Hydride formation is a key step in the process.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Lithium hydride is used in some chemical reactions.
- Hydrogen can be stored in a metal hydride.
- Sodium hydride is a powerful base commonly used in organic synthesis.
- The new battery design relies on a complex metal hydride as the anode material.
- The instability of the covalent hydride made it difficult to handle without special precautions.
- Researchers are investigating interstitial hydrides for solid-state hydrogen storage due to their reversible absorption kinetics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HYDR-' like in hydrogen, and '-IDE' like in chloride or fluoride (a negative ion). A hydride is where hydrogen acts like a negative ion.
Conceptual Metaphor
Hydrogen as a negatively charged building block (contrasted with its usual positive role in acids).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гидрид' (the correct translation). Avoid associating it with 'гидрат' (hydrate, which contains water) or 'гидроксид' (hydroxide, which contains OH⁻).
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing it as /haɪˈdrɪd/ or /ˈhɪd.rɪd/.
- Using it to refer to any hydrogen-containing compound.
- Confusing 'lithium hydride' (LiH) with 'lithium hydroxide' (LiOH).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a hydride?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In water, hydrogen is in a +1 oxidation state and is covalently bonded to oxygen. A hydride typically implies hydrogen in a -1 oxidation state or in a comparable bonding situation with a more electropositive element.
A hydride is a compound of hydrogen with another element (e.g., NaH). A hydrate is a compound that contains water molecules loosely bound to its structure (e.g., CuSO₄·5H₂O).
Some can be. Many metal hydrides react violently with water, releasing hydrogen gas and heat, which can be a fire hazard. Others, like lithium aluminium hydride, are highly flammable and powerful reducing agents.
They are crucial in hydrogen storage for fuel cells, as reducing agents in chemistry (e.g., sodium borohydride), in some types of batteries (nickel-metal hydride), and as precursors in semiconductor manufacturing.