Spectroscopic Evidence for Atmospheric Stabilization of Aluminum Borohydride in Polydimethylsiloxane Grease

Abstract

Raman and infrared vibrational spectroscopy were used to confirm the presence of aluminum borohydride dissolved in a commercial polydimethylsiloxane vacuum grease at room temperature. Spectroscopic evidence for an adduct between the aluminum borohydride and polydimethylsiloxane is also presented. Once dissolved in the polydimethylsiloxane grease, the aluminum borohydride was stabilized with respect to its usual pyrophoric reactivity in wet or dry air.