In the compound, lithium tetrahydroaluminate, the ligand is

Options

A. `H^(+)`
B. `H`
C. `H^(-)`
D. None of these

Explanation

To determine the ligand in the compound lithium tetrahydroaluminate, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the compound
The compound in question is lithium tetrahydroaluminate, which is commonly known as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH₄).

### Step 2: Analyze the structure
In lithium aluminum hydride, we have a lithium cation (Li⁺) and a complex anion (AlH₄⁻). The aluminum atom is at the center of this complex anion.

### Step 3: Determine the oxidation state of aluminum
Aluminum typically has an oxidation state of +3 in its compounds. Therefore, in the complex anion AlH₄⁻, the oxidation state of aluminum is +3.

### Step 4: Set up the equation for hydrogen's oxidation state
Let the oxidation state of hydrogen in this complex be represented as X. The overall charge of the complex anion is -1. Thus, we can set up the equation:

\[ \text{Oxidation state of Al} + 4 \times \text{Oxidation state of H} = \text{Charge of the anion} \]

Substituting the known values:

\[ +3 + 4X = -1 \]

### Step 5: Solve for X
Now, we can solve for X:

\[ 4X = -1 - 3 \]
\[ 4X = -4 \]
\[ X = -1 \]

This indicates that the oxidation state of hydrogen in this complex is -1.

### Step 6: Identify the type of ligand
Since hydrogen is in the -1 oxidation state, it is present as a hydride ion (H⁻). Therefore, the ligand in lithium tetrahydroaluminate is hydride.

### Conclusion
The ligand in lithium tetrahydroaluminate is hydride (H⁻).

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