[ifuller]

Hello,

Is it possible to react two solid powdered chemicals without submersing them in a liquid medium? I am looking into using pressure and heat to accomplish this but wanted to see if this is something that is possible. Any comments? Thanks

[enahs]

There are tons of reactions where two solids react.

But in many cases, the chemicals that react in a solution form will only react in solution because the solvent is involved in the reaction or is a catalyst.

But yes it is possible, it just depends on the reaction.

[lemonoman]

When you use excessively high temperatures, you can liquefy one of the components that was originally solid...the other may dissolve in it, and you get a reaction that way.

[Borek]

Mix powdered Fe and S and ignite.

[FeLiXe]

I had a one week solid state lab where that was pretty much all we did

the important thing is that the chemicals have to be in really close contact if you don't use a solvent. so you grind them together. then you put the whole thing into an oven at 800°C-1200°C. the reaction just takes place because of diffusion in the solid state.

e.g. grind together BaCO3 and 2 Al(OH)3. heat them at 1200°C for 24 hours and you get BaAl2O4

[ifuller]

Well thanks for all the information. The two reactions I am looking at specifically are
MgH2(s) + NaBO2(s) --> NaBH4 + MgO and
NaH(s) + B2O3(s) --> NaBH4 + NaBO2

Any ideas about these items? Thanks