Sodium cyanoborohydride  (NaBH3CN)

CASRN: 25895-60-7

Synonyms: Sodium cyanotrihydroborate; SCBH

Chemical formula: NaBH3CN

Mol mass: 62.84

 

Specification

Appearance: White or slightly yellowish powder

Purity:  96.0 % min

Melting point: ≥ 242°C with decomposition

 

Additional product available in December 2011:

NaBH3CN in NaOH solution

 

Packaging

1kg per plastic bottle in outer metal container.

Sample quantities are available.

 

 

 

 

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Physical properties

• Odorless white or slightly yellowish powder
• Ignition temperature: 175°C
• Solubility in water: 2120 g/l at 29°C
• Readily soluble in methanol; slightly soluble in ethanol; non-soluble in diethyl ether, benzene, & hexane

Environmental, Health & Safety

Sodium cyanoborohydride is a hazardous material that must be shipped, stored, handled, used, and disposed by qualified individuals according to the law & instructions provided on the MSDS (available from Boron Specialties).  

APPLICATIONS

 

 

Organic synthesis

• Highly selective reducing agent for aldehydes, ketones, oximes, enamines. Especially useful for reductive amination of ketones and aldehydes, reductive alkylation of amines and hydrazines, reductive displacement of halides & tosylates, and deoxygenation of aldehydes & ketones.

 

• Reductive methylation of protein amino groups (Sanders et al, Biochem. J. (1982) 203, 331-334)

 

• Synthesis of primary amines from aldehydes via reductive amination sans protecting groups.  (Dangerfield et al, J. Org. Chem., 2010, 75, 5470-5477)

 

Borch et al, “The Cyanohydridoborate Anion as a Selective Reducing Agent,” JACS, 93:12, 1971.