When hydrogen is liberated from a compound in a chemical reaction it invariably forms molecular hydrogen, H2, rather than atomic hydrogen.
Hydrogen and sodium can make sodium hydride, NaH.
When hydrogen reacts with sodium, it forms hydrogen gas and sodium hydride. The chemical equation for this reaction is 2Na + 2H2 -> 2NaH. Sodium hydride is a white solid that is highly reactive with water.
Sodium Hydride
A hydride is hydrogen anion (a negative ion), written as H- A few examples of hydrides are Sodium hydride, NaH Calcium hydride, CaH2 Sodium borohydride, NaBH4 Lithium aluminum hydride, LiAlH4
The formula for sodium hydride is simply NaH. This compound is formed by the reaction between sodium metal and hydrogen gas. When exposed to water, sodium hydride reacts vigorously to form H2(g), Na+ and OH-.
Adding sodium hydride to ethanol would produce sodium ethoxide and hydrogen gas. Sodium hydride is a strong base and will react with ethanol to form the ethoxide salt and release hydrogen gas as a byproduct.
Sodium chloride is NaCl; if you think to sodium hydride this is NaH.
Sodium hydride, NaH is ionic and contains Na+ and H-
In the compound hydrides such as lithium hydride (LiH) or sodium hydride (NaH), hydrogen has an oxidation number of -1.
Liquid sodium reacts with a rapid flow of hydrogen gas at 350 degrees F to produce the ionic compound sodium hydride (Na+ H-) which has the same structure as NaCl. It is a base and a reducing agent.
Sodium Hydride is a strong base/alkali. It is an inorganic salt comprising of positively charged sodium ions, and negatively charged hydride (hydrogen) ions: Na+H-. It is a good source of the uncommon hydride ion. (NB Sodium hydride, NaH, is different to Sodium HYDROXIDE, NaOH, which is common table salt.)
Melting and decomposition at about 800 0C.