Potassium Borohydride

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Potassium Borohydride
Molecular Formula:KBH4
CAS No.:13762-51-1Features

white crystalline powder or granule

NO Item Specification
1 Content ≥97%
2 Dry Reduction ≤0.3%

Packaging sizes:25kg bag or drum
Applications
Potassium Borohydride,as a water soluble reductant(milder than Sodium borohydride),mainly used in drug,pulp bleaching,recovery of noble metals and prevention of the occurrence of public nuisances caused by heavy metals.It is reductant of carbonyl compound(aldehyde,ketone,acid,acid amide,acid anhydride,acid halogen,
ester,enol ester,imide,lactone),carbonitriding chemicals(azide,diazo salts,hydrazone,imine,nitrile,oxime,nitro compound),peroxide and hydroperoxide;It also can be used to remove color,smell of organic chemicals,used to control pollution and recycle noble metals,the production of drug and fine chemicals,or used in the production and recovery of catalyst.Potassium borohydride (KBH4) is a versatile reducing agent commonly used in various applications, including as a reducing agent for aldehydes, ketones, and acid chlorides. Here is a detailed explanation of its use in different reactions for the mentioned applications:

  1. Reducing Aldehydes and Ketones: Potassium borohydride is frequently employed to reduce aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols. In this reaction, KBH4 acts as a source of hydride ions (H-) that donate electrons to the carbonyl group, resulting in the formation of alcohol. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, making it widely applicable in synthetic chemistry. The overall reaction can be represented as follows:

RCHO/R2C=O + 4 KBH4 → RCH2OH/R2CHOH + 4 KBO2 + B2H6

  1. Reducing Acid Chlorides: KBH4 can also be used to reduce acid chlorides to alcohols. Similar to the reduction of aldehydes and ketones, KBH4 donates hydride ions to the carbonyl carbon of the acid chloride, leading to the formation of an alcohol. The reaction can be represented as follows:

RCCl=O + 4 KBH4 → RCH2OH + 4 KCl + B2H6

  1. Analytical Chemistry Applications: In analytical chemistry, potassium borohydride is utilized as a reducing agent for various purposes. It is commonly employed to reduce metal ions, such as copper, silver, and mercury, to their elemental forms, which facilitates their detection or quantitative analysis. The reaction mechanism involves the reduction of metal ions by the hydride ions generated from KBH4. The specific reactions vary depending on the metal ion being reduced.
  2. Pesticide and Paper Industry: Potassium borohydride finds application as a reducing agent in the pesticide and paper industries. In pesticide synthesis, it can be used to reduce certain functional groups or convert specific intermediates into the desired products. In the paper industry, KBH4 can be employed to remove colorants or brighten pulp by reducing chromophores present in the raw materials.
  3. Treatment of Mercury-Containing Wastewater: Potassium borohydride is also utilized for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with mercury. KBH4 reacts with mercury ions (Hg2+) to form insoluble mercury (I) boride (Hg2B2), which can be easily removed from the water. This reaction helps in the detoxification and removal of mercury from industrial effluents or other sources of mercury contamination.

In summary, potassium borohydride serves as an effective reducing agent for various applications. It is commonly used to reduce aldehydes, ketones, and acid chlorides to alcohols, as well as for the reduction of metal ions in analytical chemistry. Additionally, it finds utility in the pesticide and paper industries for its reducing properties and is employed in the treatment of mercury-containing wastewater. The specific reactions and mechanisms may vary depending on the application and the target compounds or ions involved.
Storage
Avoid breakage and moisture,far away from heat,fire and inflammable matter,no mix with acid,oxidant and substance containing water.Kept in cool,dry and ventilating place.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Spill emergency treatment?
A: Isolate the leaking contaminated area, set up warning signs around the scene, and cut off the fire source. It is recommended that emergency personnel wear gas masks and chemical protective clothing. Do not touch the leaked substance directly, and it is forbidden to spray water directly on the leaked substance, do not let water enter the packaging container. Collect it with a clean shovel in a dry and clean container with a cover, move it to a large amount of water, and carefully add a dilute solution of acetic acid or acetone to it, let it stand for neutralization, and then discard it. If a large amount of leakage occurs, collect it in an airtight container and mark it for disposal.

Q: Protective measures?
Respiratory protection: Workers should wear dust masks. It is recommended to wear self-contained breathing apparatus when necessary.
Eye Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles.
Body Protection: Wear appropriate protective clothing.
Hand Protection: Wear protective gloves.
Others: Smoking is strictly prohibited in the workplace. Conduct pre-employment and periodic medical examinations.

Q: Emergency measures?
Skin contact: Take off contaminated clothing, rinse thoroughly with running water immediately.
Eye contact: Immediately lift the eyelids and rinse with running water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Get away from the scene to fresh air. Keep airway open. Give artificial respiration if necessary. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion: If swallowed by mistake, rinse mouth immediately and drink milk or egg white. Seek medical attention.