Both Lithium Aluminium Hydride(Li[AlH4]) and Sodium Boro Hydride(Na[BH4]) are co-ordination complexes. They serve as reducing agents by releasing the hydride(H-) ions from their respective co-ordination spheres.
The central atoms in both the cases, namely, Al & B, belong to Group - IIIA of the periodic table. As we know that electro positive character increases upon going down a group in the periodic table, aluminium(Al) is more electro positive than boron(B). Hence, by virtue of greater electro positive character, Al easily releases the H- ions that are bonded to it than B.
Thus, Li[AlH4] serves as a better reducing agent for organic compounds than Na[BH4]
The central atoms in both the cases, namely, Al & B, belong to Group - IIIA of the periodic table. As we know that electro positive character increases upon going down a group in the periodic table, aluminium(Al) is more electro positive than boron(B). Hence, by virtue of greater electro positive character, Al easily releases the H- ions that are bonded to it than B.
Thus, Li[AlH4] serves as a better reducing agent for organic compounds than Na[BH4]
