Sodium Borohydride used in many
industry applications

Sodium borohydride, also known as sodium tetrahydridoborate, is a versatile chemical compound with numerous industrial applications due to its reducing properties and stability. Here are some of its industrial uses:

1. Chemical Reduction: Sodium borohydride is widely employed as a reducing agent in various chemical reactions, particularly in organic synthesis. It is used to reduce aldehydes, ketones, acids, and esters to their corresponding alcohols, as well as to convert metal salts into their respective metals.
2. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: In the pharmaceutical industry, sodium borohydride is utilized in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates. It serves as a key reagent in the production of pharmaceutical compounds, including antibiotics, vitamins, and antiviral drugs.
3. Electroplating: Sodium borohydride is used in electroplating processes to deposit metal coatings on various substrates. It serves as a reducing agent in the electrochemical deposition of metals such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel, providing a uniform and adherent metal layer.
4. Pulp and Paper Industry: In the pulp and paper industry, sodium borohydride is employed as a bleaching agent and reducing agent in the production of high-quality paper products. It helps remove colorants and lignin from pulp fibers, resulting in brighter and cleaner paper.
5. Textile Processing: Sodium borohydride is used in the textile industry for the bleaching and cleaning of fabrics and fibers. It helps remove stains, dyes, and impurities from textiles, improving their appearance and quality during processing.
6. Wastewater Treatment: In wastewater treatment plants, sodium borohydride may be employed as a reducing agent for the removal of heavy metals and toxic pollutants from industrial effluents. It facilitates the precipitation and recovery of metal ions, thereby reducing environmental contamination.
7. Hydrogen Storage: Sodium borohydride is investigated for its potential use as a hydrogen storage material in fuel cell applications. It can release hydrogen gas upon hydrolysis or thermal decomposition, offering a promising approach for hydrogen storage and transportation.
8. Chemical Analysis: Sodium borohydride is utilized in analytical chemistry techniques, such as spectrophotometry and chromatography, for the determination of reducing sugars, aldehydes, and other analytes. It serves as a reagent for sample preparation and analysis in various laboratory procedures.