Synthesis and characterization of potassium iodo hydride

A novel inorganic hydride compound KHI which comprises a high binding energy hydride ion was synthesized by reaction of atomic hydrogen with potassium metal and potassium iodide. Potassium iodo hydride was identified by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, 1H and 39K nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy, thermal decomposition with analysis by gas chromatography, and mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Hydride ions with increased binding energies may form many novel compounds with broad applications.