The bonding in lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) is characterized by both ionic and covalent interactions. Lithium (Li) exists as Li+, while the aluminum hydride anion (AlH4-) is covalently bonded, containing three Al-H covalent bonds. The presence of Li+ induces polarization in the AlH4- anion, which slightly reduces the ionic character of the bonding. Additionally, a coordinate covalent bond forms when H- interacts with AlH3, resulting in the formation of AlH4-.
PREREQUISITESChemistry students, materials scientists, and researchers interested in the bonding characteristics of metal hydrides and computational chemistry methods.
ilovechemistry said:hi guys, i need help on the bonding of LiAlH4. can it considered an ionic bonding because Li is Li+ and AlH4 is AlH4-. seems like a perfect ionic bonding situation to me. or is the bonding simply convalent, permanent-dipole permament-dipole attraction to be exact.