| abstract |
A process for preparing the metal hydride compound MH x is provided wherein x is 1 or 2 and M is an alkali metal, Be or Mg. This process comprises a compound of formula (R 1 O) x M comprising a metal catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, hydrogen, and titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, vanadium, tantalum and iron; R 1 O) x M is formulated so that the molar ratio is from 0.1: 1 to 1: 1 to provide a compound of formula MH x , wherein R 1 is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or more of alkyl or alkoxy groups. . The catalyst is present at a concentration of at least 200 ppm based on the weight of aluminum. |