GK QUESTION#3280
Consider the following statements regarding hydrides used in organic chemistry:
1. Calcium hydride is commonly used as a drying agent and can act as a reducing agent in some reactions.
2. Lithium aluminium hydride is primarily used as a drying agent in the laboratory.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer
A. Only 1
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Explanation
Calcium hydride reacts with residual water and is used to dry suitable organic solvents; it can also be used in reducing systems under appropriate conditions. Lithium aluminium hydride is chiefly a powerful synthetic reducing reagent, although it has also been used for drying some solvents. Thus statement 1 is correct and the claim that drying is its primary laboratory role is false.