Question 32
How can saline hydrides remove traces of water from organic compounds?
Saline hydrides areionic in nature. They react with water to form a metal hydroxide along with the liberation of hydrogen gas. The reaction of saline hydrides with water can be represented as:
AH(s) + H2O(l) → AOH(aq) + H2(g)
(where, A = Na, Ca,……)
When added to an organic solvent, they react with water present in it. Hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere leaving behind the metallic hydroxide. The dry organic solvent distills over.
