Question

Ionic hydrides are usually______.

• A. Easily reduced.
• B. Good reducing agents.
• C. Liquid at room temperature.
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Good reducing agents.

Explanation for Correct Option:

Option (B): Good reducing agents

• In an ionic hydride, an extremely electropositive metal is bound to a hydrogen atom.
• When this hydrogen is removed, it forms a negative charge.
• Therefore, when hydrogen is removed, this extra electron is given to another oxidizer.
• Hence, ionic hydrides are usually good reducing agents.

Explanation for Incorrect Option:

Option (A): Easily reduced

• When the hydrogen is removed from an ionic hydride, it forms a negative charge.
• Therefore, there is an excess electron, so they do not accept more electrons.
• Hence ionic hydrides are not easily reduced.

Option (C): Liquid at room temperature

• At room temperature, ionic hydrides are crystalline solids in nature.
• Hence, ionic hydrides are not usually liquid at room temperature.

Option (D): All of these

• Since only one option is correct, “all of these” cannot be the correct answer.

Therefore, Ionic hydrides are usually option (B) Good reducing agents