Question
Distinguish clearly between salt like hydrides and covalent hydrides.
Solution
| Salt like hydrides | Covalent hydrides |
| 1. Salt-like hydrides are also called ionic hydrides. | 1. Covalent hydrides are also called molecular hydrides. |
| 2. These are formed by s-block elements except Be and Mg. | 2. These are formed by p-block elements. |
| 3. These are formed by transfer of electrons from the metals to the hydrogen atoms. As such they contain H+ ions. | 3. These are formed by sharing of an electron between the element and hydrogen atoms. As such they do not contain H ions. |
| 4. They possess high melting and boiling points and conduct electricity in the fused state. On electrolysing such fused hydrides, hydrogen is liberated at the anode. | 4. They are soft, have low melting and boiling points. They have low electrical conductivity. |
| 5. They are powerful reducing agents. | 5. They are weak reducing agents. |
