Question

Why we can say Ionic hydrides are used as dehydrating agents??

Answer 1

Because they react irreversibly with water.......

Explanation:

The hydride that is commonly used is calcium hydride.......`CaH_2`, which is a dry powder, and fairly cheap, and reacts with water according to the following equation......

`CaH_2(s) + 2H_2O(l) stackrel(CH_2Cl_2)rarr Ca(OH)_2(s) + 2H_2(g)uarr`

Sodium hydride, and lithium aluminum hydride, `LiAlH_4`, can also be used in this manner; tho you do exercise caution with respect to the solvent that you want to dry.