What is "lithium aluminium hydride"

n. (context inorganic compound English) LiAlH₄, a powerful reducing agent with many applications in organic chemistry; contains the aluminohydride anion AlH₄^-.

Lithium aluminium hydride, commonly abbreviated to LAH, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Li Al H. It was discovered by Finholt, Bond and Schlesinger in 1947. This compound is used as a reducing agent in organic synthesis, especially for the reduction of esters, carboxylic acids, and amides. The solid is dangerously reactive toward water, releasing gaseous hydrogen (H). Some related derivatives have been discussed for hydrogen storage.