Answer:
Many transition and inner transition
metals form metallic or interstitial hydrides. In these compounds, hydrogen
occupies interstices in the metal lattice producing distortion without any
change in the metal. However, recent studies have shown that in some of the
hydrides, the lattice is changed considerably as compared to parent metal. The
composition of these hydrides may not correspond to simple whole number
ratio and therefore, they are called non-stoichiometric compounds.
Their composition varies with the conditions of temperature and pressure.
The hydrogen atoms occupy some and not all the interstitial sites in the
metallic lattice in these hydrides.
Molecular hydrides consist of
discrete molecules which are held by weak van der Waals' forces of attraction.
This class includes the hydrides of p-block elements. These are covalent in
nature and stoichiometric compounds. These hydrides are gases or liquids
and volatile in nature. They have low electrical conductivity. Some of
molecular hydrides act as reducing agents.
Metallic hydrides are hard and
have a metallic lustre. They are good conductors of electricity. Metallic
hydrides undergo reversible decomposition into \[{{H}_{2}}\] gas and metal and
thus, termed as hydrogen storage media.
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