Sodium borohydride has the chemical formula NaBH4 and CAS number 16940-66-2. It is generally a white to off-white, odorless crystalline powder that readily absorbs moisture. It is readily soluble in water and liquid ammonia, slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol, and insoluble in organic solvents such as diethyl ether and benzene. Its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline. It is a powerful reducing agent and is relatively stable under alkaline conditions. It reacts violently with acids to generate hydrogen, reacts slowly with water to release hydrogen, and may ignite on contact with oxidizing agents. It is mainly used as a reducing agent in organic synthesis to prepare pharmaceutical, fragrance, dye, and other intermediates, and in precious-metal recovery to reduce gold, silver, platinum, and other metal ions from solution. It is also used as a bleach stabilizer in papermaking, as a reducing agent in electroplating solutions to improve coating uniformity, and as a hydrogen source for fuel cells.