Uranium(IV) hydride

For the uranium hydrogen alloy, see Uranium hydride.

"UH4" redirects here. For the helicopter, see Hiller UH4.

Uranium(IV) hydride is a chemical compound with the chemical formula UH₄, a metal hydride.

Uranium (IV) hydride

Names
IUPAC name Uranium (IV) hydride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/U.4H Key: ADLLSJWBWKEZAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [UH4]
Properties
Molar mass	242.06067
Related compounds
Other anions	Uranium(IV) iodide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

In 1997, Souter et al. reported the production of UH₄ reacting laser ablated uranium atoms with dihydrogen and capturing the product on solid argon. The assignment of the structure was made using infrared spectroscopic evidence supported by DFT calculations.^[1] Uranium(IV) hydride has a quasi-tetrahedral (C_s) structure. UH₄ is formed by the successive insertion of uranium into two hydrogen molecules:

U + H₂ → UH₂

UH₂ + H₂ → UH₄

Further reaction with hydrogen, only produces dihydrogen complexes: UH₄(H₂)_n (1 ≤ n ≤ 6).^[2]