Process for production of a borohydride compound

1. A process for production of a borohydride compound; said process comprising steps of:

(a) combining a boron-containing salt, at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal and its hydride; wherein the metal is Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Al, Ga, Si or a transition metal; and a solvent in which the borohydride compound is soluble; to form a reaction mixture;

(b) grinding the reaction mixture formed in step (a) to form the borohydride compound; and

(c) separating a solution comprising the borohydride compound.

2. The process of claim 1 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of liquid ammonia, alkyl amines, heterocyclic amines, alkanolamines, alkylene diamines, glycol ethers, amide solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide and combinations thereof.

3. The process of claim 2 in which the metal is Mg, Ca, La, Ti, Zr, Zn, Al or Si.

4. The process of claim 3 further comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of powders of the transition metals, and their oxides; oxides of aluminum and silicon; alloys of formula AB 2 , AB 5 , AB or A 2 B, wherein A and B are transition metals; and combinations thereof.

5. The process of claim 4 in which the borohydride compound is sodium borohydride.

6. A process for production of a borohydride compound; said process comprising steps of:

(a) combining a boron-containing salt, mineral oil and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal and its hydride; wherein the metal is Al, Si or a transition metal; to form a reaction mixture; and

(b) grinding the reaction mixture formed in step (a) to form the borohydride compound.

7. The process of claim 6 in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of La, Y, Sc, Ti, Zr, Zn, Al and Si.

8. The process of claim 7 further comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of: powders of the transition metals and their oxides; alloys of formula AB 2 , AB 5 , AB or A 2 B, wherein A and B are transition metals; and combinations thereof.

9. The process of claim 8 in which the borohydride compound is sodium borohydride.

10. A process for production of a borohydride compound; said process comprising steps of:

(a) combining a boron-containing salt and silicon to form a reaction mixture; and

(b) grinding the reaction mixture formed in step (a) to form the borohydride compound.

11. The process of claim 10 further comprising combining a mineral oil with the boron-containing salt and silicon to form the reaction mixture.

12. The process of claim 11 in which the borohydride compound is sodium borohydride.

13. The process of claim 12 further comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of powders of the transition metals and their oxides.