Calcium hydride

Agent Name
Calcium hydride
CAS Number
7789-78-8
Formula
Ca-H2
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Calcium dihydride; [ChemIDplus] UN1404
Category
Metal Hydrides
Description
Solid; Commercial product is grey; [Merck Index] Greyish solid; [CAMEO] Light grey odorless powder; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used to prepare rare metals (reduction of metal oxides) and to generate hydrogen; Also used as a drying agent and in organic syntheses; [Merck Index]
Comments
Decomposed by water evolving hydrogen; [Merck Index] Reacts violently or is ignited by air; Reacts exothermically with water producing hydrogen and calcium hydroxide; A skin and eye irritant; [CAMEO] Releases flammable gases on contact with water; May cause irritation; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] See "Sodium hydride." See "Calcium hydroxide."
Biomedical References
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Exposure Assessment

Adverse Effects

Dermatotoxin
Skin burns

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: