Sodium Borohydride, also known as sodium tetrahydridoborate and sodium tetrahydroborate, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaBH₄. This white solid, usually encountered as a powder, is a reducing agent that finds application in chemistry, both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale.

Application

The principal application of sodium borohydride is the production of sodium dithionite from sulfur dioxide: Sodium dithionite is used as a bleaching agent for wood pulp and in the dyeing industry. Sodium borohydride reduces aldehydes and ketones to give the related alcohols.

Technical Specification

Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is one of the handiest reducing agents, especially for organic compounds in nonaqueous solvents.