metallic hydride

A metallic hydride is a chemical compound formed when hydrogen combines with a more electropositive element, typically a metal. These compounds are characterized by their metallic properties, such as luster and electrical conductivity, and are often formed when hydrogen gas is heated with metals or their alloys.12

Metallic hydrides are considered to be intermediate between salts and alloys. They essentially consist of protons (positive hydrogen ions, H+) and metal atoms within an electron sea, which accounts for their metallic characteristics. Examples include the hydrides formed by transition metals like titanium and zirconium, which can form nonstoichiometric compounds. These hydrides can be brittle or hard and are sometimes used as reducing agents in metallurgical processes.2