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Sodium hydride

PubChem CID
24758
Structure
Sodium hydride_small.png
Molecular Formula
Synonyms
  • SODIUM HYDRIDE
  • 7646-69-7
  • Sodiumhydride
  • 15780-28-6
  • Sodium hydride (NaH)
Molecular Weight
23.9977 g/mol
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Dates
  • Create:
    2005-03-26
  • Modify:
    2025-01-18
Description
Sodium hydride appears as a silvery to whitish powder or slurry in oil. Used to make other chemicals.
See also: Sodium hydride (NaD) (annotation moved to).

1 Structures

1.1 2D Structure

Chemical Structure Depiction
Sodium hydride.png

1.2 Crystal Structures

2 Names and Identifiers

2.1 Computed Descriptors

2.1.1 IUPAC Name

sodium;hydride
Computed by Lexichem TK 2.7.0 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)

2.1.2 InChI

InChI=1S/Na.H/q+1;-1
Computed by InChI 1.0.6 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)

2.1.3 InChIKey

BZKBCQXYZZXSCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Computed by InChI 1.0.6 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)

2.1.4 SMILES

[H-].[Na+]
Computed by OEChem 2.3.0 (PubChem release 2024.12.12)

2.2 Molecular Formula

HNa
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)

2.3 Other Identifiers

2.3.1 CAS

7646-69-7

2.3.2 Deprecated CAS

64975-43-5, 64975-44-6

2.3.3 European Community (EC) Number

2.3.4 UNII

2.3.5 UN Number

2.3.6 DSSTox Substance ID

2.3.7 RXCUI

2.3.8 Wikidata

2.3.9 Wikipedia

2.4 Synonyms

2.4.1 MeSH Entry Terms

sodium hydride

2.4.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

3 Chemical and Physical Properties

3.1 Computed Properties

Property Name
Molecular Weight
Property Value
23.9977 g/mol
Reference
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count
Property Value
1
Reference
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Rotatable Bond Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Exact Mass
Property Value
23.99759431 Da
Reference
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Monoisotopic Mass
Property Value
23.99759431 Da
Reference
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Topological Polar Surface Area
Property Value
0 Ų
Reference
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Heavy Atom Count
Property Value
1
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Formal Charge
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Complexity
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Property Name
Isotope Atom Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count
Property Value
0
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count
Property Value
2
Reference
Computed by PubChem
Property Name
Compound Is Canonicalized
Property Value
Yes
Reference
Computed by PubChem (release 2021.10.14)

3.2 Experimental Properties

3.2.1 Physical Description

Sodium hydride appears as a silvery to whitish powder or slurry in oil. Used to make other chemicals.
Other Solid
Gray powder in oil with a kerosene odor; [CHRIS]

3.2.2 Color / Form

MICROCRYSTALLINE, WHITE TO BROWNISH-GRAY POWDER
Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979., p. 983
SILVERY NEEDLES TURNING OFF-WHITE ON EXPOSURE TO AIR
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-265

3.2.3 Odor

odorless
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Manual Two. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Oct., 1978.

3.2.4 Boiling Point

Very high. (USCG, 1999)
U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

3.2.5 Melting Point

DECOMP AT 800 °C
Weast, R.C. (ed.). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 60th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1979., p. B-126

3.2.6 Flash Point

Not Applicable. Oil is flammable. (USCG, 1999)
U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

3.2.7 Solubility

SOL IN MOLTEN SODIUM HYDROXIDE
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236
Weast, R.C. (ed.). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 60th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1979., p. B-126

3.2.8 Density

0.92
Weast, R.C. (ed.). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 60th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1979., p. B-126
DENSITY: 1.396; FORMS SODAMIDE @ MODERATE TEMP IN LIQ AMMONIA; GRAY-WHITE POWDER /COMMERCIAL PRODUCT/
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236

3.2.9 Decomposition

WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP, EMITS HIGHLY TOXIC FUMES OF OXIDES OF SODIUM
Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979., p. 983

3.2.10 Refractive Index

INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.470
Weast, R.C. (ed.). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 60th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1979., p. B-126

3.2.11 Other Experimental Properties

PARTICLE SIZE RANGE 5-50 MICRONS; STARTS TO DECOMP WITH EVOLUTION OF HYDROGEN @ ABOUT 225 °C
Hawley, G.G. The Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 10th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1981., p. 942

3.3 Chemical Classes

Metals -> Metal Hydrides

5 Chemical Vendors

6 Use and Manufacturing

6.1 Uses

Sources/Uses
Used as a condensing and reducing agent, e.g., to descale metals by reducing metal oxides; [HSDB]
CONDENSING OR ALKYLATING AGENT, ESPECIALLY FOR AMINES; DESCALING METALS
Hawley, G.G. The Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 10th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1981., p. 942
AT LOW TEMP WHERE REDUCING PROPERTIES OF SODIUM ARE UNDESIRABLE AS IN THE CONDENSATION OF KETONES & ALDEHYDES WITH ACID ESTERS; IN SOLN WITH MOLTEN SODIUM HYDROXIDE FOR THE REDN OF OXIDE SCALE ON METALS; AT HIGH TEMP AS REDUCING AGENT & REDUCTION CATALYST
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236

6.1.1 Use Classification

Hazard Classes and Categories -> Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 2nd degree

6.1.2 Industry Uses

  • Other (specify)
  • Intermediates

6.2 Methods of Manufacturing

...BY PASSING HYDROGEN INTO MOLTEN SODIUM DISPERSED IN OIL OR MIXED WITH A CATALYST SUCH AS ANTHRACENE ABOVE 250 °C: HANSLEY, CHARLISLE, CHEM & ENG NEWS 23, 1332 (1945). LABORATORY PROCEDURE BY HYDROGENATING SODIUM DISPERSIONS: MATTSON, WHALEY, INORG SYN 5, 10 (1957).
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236

6.3 Formulations / Preparations

SOMETIMES FURNISHED AS A FINELY GROUND SLURRY IN OIL CONTAINING 25 TO 50% SODIUM HYDRIDE.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-265
Commerical product, after filtration, is a 55% /oil/ dispersion of NaH crystals
KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT V12 p.774
/Available/ dispersion in industrial white oil at 60% concentration grades
CHEMCYCLOPEDIA 1986 p.202

6.4 U.S. Production

Aggregated Product Volume

2019: 20,000,000 lb - <100,000,000 lb

2018: 20,000,000 lb - <100,000,000 lb

2017: 20,000,000 lb - <100,000,000 lb

2016: 20,000,000 lb - <100,000,000 lb

(1979) less than 5.0X10+6 g
KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT V12 p.774

6.5 U.S. Imports

(1986) No Data

6.6 U.S. Exports

(1986) No Data

6.7 General Manufacturing Information

Industry Processing Sectors
  • Primary Metal Manufacturing
  • All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
EPA TSCA Commercial Activity Status
Sodium hydride (NaH): ACTIVE
ONE VARIATION OF MOLTEN CAUSTIC CLEANING IS THE SODIUM HYDRIDE DESCALING PROCESS, IN WHICH NO CURRENT IS USED & SODIUM HYDRIDE IS FED CONTINUALLY TO THE BATH THROUGH THE ACTION OF METALLIC SODIUM IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE SCALE REDUCTION REQUIRED.
Patty, F. (ed.). Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume II: Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Interscience Publishers, 1963., p. 2284

7 Safety and Hazards

7.1 Hazards Identification

7.1.1 GHS Classification

1 of 4
View All
Pictogram(s)
Flammable
Corrosive
Signal
Danger
GHS Hazard Statements

H228 (62.7%): Flammable solid [Danger Flammable solids]

H260 (100%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

H290 (18.2%): May be corrosive to metals [Warning Corrosive to Metals]

H314 (62%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]

H318 (47.1%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

Precautionary Statement Codes

P210, P223, P231+P232, P234, P240, P241, P260, P264, P264+P265, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P363, P370+P378, P390, P402+P404, P405, P406, and P501

(The corresponding statement to each P-code can be found at the GHS Classification page.)

ECHA C&L Notifications Summary

Aggregated GHS information provided per 308 reports by companies from 11 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown.

7.1.2 Hazard Classes and Categories

Flam. Sol. 1 (62.7%)

Water-react. 1 (100%)

Met. Corr. 1 (18.2%)

Skin Corr. 1A (62%)

Eye Dam. 1 (47.1%)

Substance or mixture which in contact with water emits flammable gas - category 1

7.1.3 NFPA Hazard Classification

NFPA 704 Diamond
3-3-2- ̵W̵
NFPA Health Rating
3 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause serious or permanent injury.
NFPA Fire Rating
3 - Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Materials produce hazardous atmospheres with air under almost all ambient temperatures or, though unaffected by ambient temperatures, are readily ignited under almost all conditions.
NFPA Instability Rating
2 - Materials that readily undergo violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
NFPA Specific Notice
W - No water: Materials that react violently or explosively with water.

7.1.4 Health Hazards

SOLID: Will burn skin and eyes. Harmful if swallowed. (USCG, 1999)
U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.

· May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water.

· Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

· Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.

7.1.5 Fire Hazards

FLAMMABLE. MAY EXPLODE ON CONTACT WITH WATER. Accidental contact with water used to extinguish surrounding fire will result in the release of hydrogen gas and possible explosion. (USCG, 1999)
U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· Produce flammable gases on contact with water.

· May ignite on contact with water or moist air.

· Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.

· May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

· May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.

· Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.

· Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.

7.1.6 Hazards Summary

Can cause third-degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract with risk of acute pneumonitis and pulmonary edema after high inhalation exposure; reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen; [HSDB] Hydrides are one of the four binary salts that have specific hazards (nitrides, carbides, hydrides, and phosphides); Hydrides give off hydrogen, and a corrosive base is formed from contact with water. The corrosive base is the hydroxide of the metal that is attached to the hydrogen in the hydride compounds; [Burke, p. 21]
Burke - Burke R. Hazardous Materials Chemistry for Emergency Responders. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers, 1997., p. 21

7.1.7 Fire Potential

...IGNITES SPONTANEOUSLY ON STANDING IN MOIST AIR.
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236
ON HEATING OR IN CONTACT WITH MOISTURE OR ACIDS, AN EXOTHERMIC REACTION MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE IGNITION.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-265

7.1.8 Skin, Eye, and Respiratory Irritations

Severe skin irritant. Causes second- & third-degree burns on short contact & is very injurious to the eyes.
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Manual Two. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Oct., 1978.

7.2 Safety and Hazard Properties

7.2.1 Explosive Limits and Potential

CAN FORM DUST CLOUDS THAT MAY EXPLODE ON CONTACT WITH FLAME, HEAT, OR OXIDIZING MATERIALS.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-266
MODERATE WITH (ETHYLENE + MOISTURE), AIR, CHLORINE, FLUORINE, DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE, SULFUR DIOXIDE, WATER.
Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979., p. 983

7.3 First Aid Measures

7.3.1 First Aid

INGESTION: do NOT induce vomiting; neutralize alkali in stomach by drinking dilute vinegar, lemon juice, or orange juice; call a physician.

SKIN CONTACT: brush off all particles at once and flood the affected area with water. (USCG, 1999)

U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

General First Aid:

· Call 911 or emergency medical service.

· Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.

· Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.

· Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

· If victim is not breathing:

-- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingestedor inhaled the substance.

-- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).

-- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuouscompressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.

· Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.

· For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

· In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

· For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.

· Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.

· Keep victim calm and warm.

· Keep victim under observation.

· For further assistance, contact your local Poison Control Center.

· Note: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be done by trained professionals.

Specific First Aid:

· In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping paper and/or the "ERAP" section.

7.4 Fire Fighting

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING METALS OR POWDERS (ALUMINUM, LITHIUM, MAGNESIUM, ETC.): Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see ERG Guide 170.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

7.4.1 Fire Fighting Procedures

DO NOT USE WATER, CARBON DIOXIDE, DRY CHEMICAL OR HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING AGENTS. FIRES MAY BE SMOTHERED BY APPLYING A METAL COVER. DRY GRAPHITE OR GROUND DOLOMITE MAY ALSO BE USED TO SMOTHER FIRES IN SODIUM HYDRIDE.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-266
Powdered limestone & nitrogen-propelled dry powder.
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Manual Two. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Oct., 1978.

7.5 Accidental Release Measures

Public Safety: ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Keep unauthorized personnel away.

· Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.

· Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.

Spill or Leak: ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

· Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

· Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.

· DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

Small Spill

· Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

· Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

Powder Spill

· Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry.

· DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.

7.5.1 Isolation and Evacuation

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Evacuation: ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

Immediate precautionary measure

· Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

Large Spill

· Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

Fire

· If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

7.6 Handling and Storage

7.6.1 Nonfire Spill Response

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)

7.6.2 Storage Conditions

PROTECT AGAINST PHYSICAL DAMAGE. STORE IN ISOLATED, WELL-VENTILATED, COOL, DRY AREA. USE ALL PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP WATER FROM ENTERING STORAGE AREA. BUILDING MUST BE WELL VENTILATED & SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO ELIMINATE POCKETING OF HYDROGEN GAS. DO NOT REMOVE OIL FROM SODIUM HYDRIDE SLURRIES.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-266

7.7 Exposure Control and Personal Protection

Protective Clothing: ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE.

· Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.

7.7.1 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines

Emergency Response: ERG 2024, Guide 138 (Sodium hydride)

· DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

Small Fire

· Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

Large Fire

· DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.

· If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

Fire Involving Metals or Powders (Aluminum, Lithium, Magnesium, etc.)

· Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see GUIDE 170.

Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks

· Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.

· Do not get water inside containers.

· Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.

· Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

· ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.

7.7.2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear rubber overclothing (including gloves). (USCG, 1999)
U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Face shield; rubber gloves
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Manual Two. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Oct., 1978.

7.8 Stability and Reactivity

7.8.1 Air and Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Ignites or explodes in contact with air of high humidity [Bretherick 1979 p. 107]. Reacts violently with water producing a caustic solution (NaOH) and hydrogen (H2). Heat of reaction may ignite the hydrogen.

7.8.2 Reactive Group

Metal Hydrides, Metal Alkyls, Metal Aryls, and Silanes

7.8.3 Reactivity Alerts

Highly Flammable

Strong Reducing Agent

Water-Reactive

7.8.3.1 CSL Reaction Information
1 of 5
CSL No
Reactants/Reagents
N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE + SODIUM HYDRIDE
Warning Message
Thermal runaway reaction already at temperatures > 40°C
Reaction Class
Deprotonation
Reference Source
C&EN
Modified Date
6/29/18
Create Date
10/2/17
2 of 5
CSL No
Reactants/Reagents
N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE + SODIUM HYDRIDE
Warning Message
Warning - Sodium Hydride combined with DMF can result in a fire.
GHS Category
Pyrophoric
Reference Source
Bretherick's
Modified Date
7/8/18
Create Date
2/13/17
3 of 5
CSL No
Reactants/Reagents
sodium hydride + dimethyl sulfoxide
Warning Message
NaH/DMSO undergoes thermal decomposition at temperatures as low as 50 °C. Dilution with THF raises the onset temperature for thermal decomposition.
GHS Category
Flammable,Water Reactive
Functional Group
other: Hydride
Reaction Scale
Medium (up to 100g)
Reaction Class
Deprotonation
Additional Information
ARC analysis of 4.55 g of a mixture of 9.7% NaH, 6.4% mineral oil, and 83.9% DMSO recorded two small exothermic events followed by a significant exothermic event with an onset temperature of 56.8 °C. This exotherm caused the rupture of an ARC cell designed with an average burst pressure of 14,500 psi. The force generated from this explosion was strong enough to displace the reactor housing, which sat on top of the ARC reactor.
Reference Source
Literature Reference
Modified Date
08/22/2022
Create Date
08/22/2022
4 of 5
CSL No
Reactants/Reagents
sodium hydride + N,N-dimethylformamide
Warning Message
NaH/DMF undergoes thermal decomposition at temperatures as low as 40 °C. The onset temperature for thermal decomposition appears dependent on water content in the DMF, and the weight ratio of NaH to DMF.
GHS Category
Flammable,Water Reactive
Functional Group
other: Hydride
Reaction Scale
Medium (up to 100g)
Reaction Class
Deprotonation
Additional Information
The thermal stability of NaH/DMF mixtures was evaluated by ARC analysis. A significant exothermic decomposition with an onset temperature of 76.1 °C was detected with a mixture of 9.5% NaH, 6.3% mineral oil, and 84.2% DMF. This decomposition produced an exotherm of −528.4 J/g with a maximum self-heating rate of 7.23 °C/min. Increasing the weight ratio of NaH to 24.6% (in 16.4% mineral oil and 59% DMF) significantly lowered the decomposition onset temperature to 39.8 °C and increased the peak self-heating rate to 634.7 °C/min, affording a total exotherm of greater than −601.8 J/g. Both tests had substantial cool-down pressures, confirming that the decomposition of DMF resulted in the formation of significant amounts of gaseous products.
Reference Source
Literature Reference
Modified Date
08/22/2022
Create Date
08/22/2022
5 of 5
CSL No
Reactants/Reagents
sodium hydride + N,N-dimethylacetamide
Warning Message
NaH/DMAc undergoes thermal decomposition at temperatures as low as 30 °C. The onset temperature for thermal decomposition appears dependent on the weight ratio of NaH to DMAc.
GHS Category
Flammable,Water Reactive
Functional Group
other: Hydride
Reaction Scale
Medium (up to 100g)
Reaction Class
Deprotonation
Additional Information
ARC analysis of a mixture of 9% NaH, 6% mineral oil, and 85% DMAc evidenced a decomposition onset temperature of 56.4 °C with a peak self-heating rate of 5.78 °C/min and a total heat release of −422.6 J/g. Increasing the content of NaH to 16.2% significantly lowered the decomposition onset temperature to 30.1 °C and substantially increased the maximum self-heating rate to 479.1 °C/min with a total heat output of −528.2 J/g. Both experiments resulted in significantly high cool-down pressures, confirming the formation of noncondensable gaseous products from the thermal decomposition. These results confirm that the thermal decomposition of the NaH/DMAc combination could result in runway scenarios.
Reference Source
Literature Reference
Modified Date
08/22/2022
Create Date
08/22/2022

7.8.4 Reactivity Profile

SODIUM HYDRIDE is a powerful reducing agent. Attacks SiO2 in glass. Ignites on contact with gaseous F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2 (the last at temperatures exceeding 100 °C), especially in the presence of moisture, to form HF, HCl, HBr, and HI [Mellor 2:483 1946-47]. Reacts with sulfur to give Na2S and H2S [Bretherick 1979 p. 107]. Can react explosively with dimethyl sulfoxide [Chem. Eng. News 44(24):7 1966]. Reacts vigorously with acetylene, even at -60 °C [Mellor 2:483 1946-47]. Spontaneously flammable in fluorine. Reaction with dimethylformamide, when heated, runs away [Chem. Eng. News, 1982, 60(28), 5]. Initiates a polymerization reaction in ethyl-2,2,3-trifluoropropionate such that the ester decomposed violently [Bretherick 5th ed. 1995]. Presence in the reaction of diethyl succinate and ethyl trifluoroacetate, has twice caused explosions [Chem. Brit., 1983, 19, 645].

7.8.5 Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities

WILL REACT WITH WATER OR STEAM TO PRODUCE HEAT, SODIUM HYDROXIDE & HYDROGEN GAS...
Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979., p. 983
REACTS VIOLENTLY WITH LOWER ALCOHOLS...
The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 1236
VIOLENTLY REACTIVE WITH STRONG OXIDIZERS.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-265

7.9 Transport Information

7.9.1 DOT Emergency Guidelines

/GUIDE 138: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Fire or Explosion: Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
U.S. Department of Transportation. 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, D.C. 2012
/GUIDE 138: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Health: Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
U.S. Department of Transportation. 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, D.C. 2012
/GUIDE 138: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate the area before entry.
U.S. Department of Transportation. 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, D.C. 2012
/GUIDE 138: SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.
U.S. Department of Transportation. 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, D.C. 2012
For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for SODIUM HYDRIDE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

7.9.2 Shipping Name / Number DOT/UN/NA/IMO

UN 1427; Sodium hydride
IMO 4.3; Sodium hydride

7.9.3 Standard Transportation Number

49 164 54; Sodium hydride

7.9.4 Shipment Methods and Regulations

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./
49 CFR 171.2; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Available from, as of February 15, 2006: https://www.ecfr.gov
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials.
International Air Transport Association. Dangerous Goods Regulations. 47th Edition. Montreal, Quebec Canada. 2006., p. 254
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.
International Maritime Organization. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. London, UK. 2004., p. 65

7.9.5 DOT Label

Dangerous When Wet

7.10 Regulatory Information

The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals
Chemical: Sodium hydride (NaH)
REACH Registered Substance
New Zealand EPA Inventory of Chemical Status
Sodium hydride: HSNO Approval: HSR001296 Approved with controls

7.11 Other Safety Information

Chemical Assessment

IMAP assessments - Sodium hydride (NaH): Environment tier I assessment

IMAP assessments - Sodium hydride (NaH): Human health tier I assessment

8 Toxicity

8.1 Toxicological Information

8.1.1 Adverse Effects

Dermatotoxin - Skin burns.

Toxic Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs induced by inhalation of metal fumes or toxic gases and vapors.

8.1.2 Human Toxicity Excerpts

HIGHLY CORROSIVE ON INHALATION, INGESTION, OR CONTACT WITH SKIN.
National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 7th ed. Boston, Mass.: National Fire Protection Association, 1978., p. 49-266
HIGH. HIGH= CAPABLE OF CAUSING DEATH OR PERMANENT INJURY DUE TO EXPOSURES OF NORMAL USE; INCAPACITATING & POISONOUS; REQUIRES SPECIAL HANDLING.
Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979., p. 983

9 Literature

9.1 Consolidated References

9.2 NLM Curated PubMed Citations

9.3 Springer Nature References

9.4 Thieme References

9.5 Chemical Co-Occurrences in Literature

9.6 Chemical-Gene Co-Occurrences in Literature

9.7 Chemical-Disease Co-Occurrences in Literature

10 Patents

10.1 Depositor-Supplied Patent Identifiers

10.2 WIPO PATENTSCOPE

10.3 Chemical Co-Occurrences in Patents

10.4 Chemical-Disease Co-Occurrences in Patents

10.5 Chemical-Gene Co-Occurrences in Patents

11 Classification

11.1 MeSH Tree

11.2 CAMEO Chemicals

11.3 UN GHS Classification

11.4 EPA DSSTox Classification

11.5 EPA TSCA and CDR Classification

11.6 EPA Substance Registry Services Tree

11.7 MolGenie Organic Chemistry Ontology

12 Information Sources

  1. Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS)
  2. CAMEO Chemicals
    LICENSE
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    https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/help/reference/terms_and_conditions.htm?d_f=false
    CAMEO Chemical Reactivity Classification
    https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/browse/react
  3. CAS Common Chemistry
    LICENSE
    The data from CAS Common Chemistry is provided under a CC-BY-NC 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated.
    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
  4. ChemIDplus
  5. EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
    LICENSE
    The U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce these documents, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. These documents may be freely distributed and used for non-commercial, scientific and educational purposes.
    https://www.epa.gov/web-policies-and-procedures/epa-disclaimers#copyright
  6. EPA Chemicals under the TSCA
    EPA TSCA Classification
    https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory
  7. EPA DSSTox
    CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
    https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical-lists/
  8. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
    LICENSE
    Use of the information, documents and data from the ECHA website is subject to the terms and conditions of this Legal Notice, and subject to other binding limitations provided for under applicable law, the information, documents and data made available on the ECHA website may be reproduced, distributed and/or used, totally or in part, for non-commercial purposes provided that ECHA is acknowledged as the source: "Source: European Chemicals Agency, http://echa.europa.eu/". Such acknowledgement must be included in each copy of the material. ECHA permits and encourages organisations and individuals to create links to the ECHA website under the following cumulative conditions: Links can only be made to webpages that provide a link to the Legal Notice page.
    https://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/legal-notice
  9. FDA Global Substance Registration System (GSRS)
    LICENSE
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    https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/about-website/website-policies#linking
  10. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  11. New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
    LICENSE
    This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.
    https://www.epa.govt.nz/about-this-site/general-copyright-statement/
  12. NJDOH RTK Hazardous Substance List
  13. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
  14. Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
    LICENSE
    Copyright (c) 2022 Haz-Map(R). All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials from Haz-Map are copyrighted by Haz-Map(R). No part of these materials, either text or image may be used for any purpose other than for personal use. Therefore, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, for reasons other than personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.
    https://haz-map.com/About
  15. Crystallography Open Database (COD)
    LICENSE
    All data in the COD and the database itself are dedicated to the public domain and licensed under the CC0 License. Users of the data should acknowledge the original authors of the structural data.
    https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
  16. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), Safe Work Australia
  17. NITE-CMC
    sodium hydride - FY2008 (New/original classication)
    https://www.chem-info.nite.go.jp/chem/english/ghs/08-mhlw-0236e.html
  18. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
    LICENSE
    The copyright for the editorial content of this source, the summaries of EU legislation and the consolidated texts, which is owned by the EU, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
    https://eur-lex.europa.eu/content/legal-notice/legal-notice.html
  19. NLM RxNorm Terminology
    LICENSE
    The RxNorm Terminology is created by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and is in the public domain and may be republished, reprinted and otherwise used freely by anyone without the need to obtain permission from NLM. Credit to the U.S. National Library of Medicine as the source is appreciated but not required. The full RxNorm dataset requires a free license.
    https://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm/docs/termsofservice.html
  20. Pistoia Alliance Chemical Safety Library
    N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE + SODIUM HYDRIDE
    https://safescience.cas.org/
  21. Springer Nature
  22. Thieme Chemistry
    LICENSE
    The Thieme Chemistry contribution within PubChem is provided under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated.
    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
  23. Wikidata
  24. Wikipedia
  25. PubChem
  26. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
    LICENSE
    Works produced by the U.S. government are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any such works found on National Library of Medicine (NLM) Web sites may be freely used or reproduced without permission in the U.S.
    https://www.nlm.nih.gov/copyright.html
  27. GHS Classification (UNECE)
  28. EPA Substance Registry Services
  29. MolGenie
    MolGenie Organic Chemistry Ontology
    https://github.com/MolGenie/ontology/
  30. PATENTSCOPE (WIPO)
  31. NCBI
CONTENTS