Novel methods for synthesizing halide-free alane without the formation of adducts

Abstract

Many of the current synthesis methods for aluminum hydride (alane—AlH3) involve reacting AlCl3 and LiAlH4 in solvents. The reaction requires the formation of an alane adduct such as AlH3⋅[(C2H5)2O] prior to obtaining crystallized stable α-AlH3. This process requires several hours of pumping in a vacuum system to remove the ether and convert the alane etherate into stable α-alane. This crystallization process is both costly and hazardous because a large amount of highly flammable material (e.g. ether) is removed by vacuum pumps over several hours. Conversely, the work presented herein describes novel methods to synthesize adduct-free alane. It is demonstrated here that AlH3 can form by mixing AlCl3 and LiAlH4 in the solid state and heating to 75∘C; only α-AlH3 was obtained. The α-AlH3 product can be washed with minimal solvents leading to zero formation of alane adducts. In addition, the unwanted LiCl by-product is also removed during the solvent wash, resulting in halide-free α-alane. Although simply mixing and heating the reactants led to a 40% yield of alane, having the reactants compacted and mechanically pressed while heating increases the yield to 60% crystalline α-AlH3.