In chemistry, a
hydride is the
anion of
hydrogen, H
-, or, more commonly, it is a
compound in which one or more hydrogen centres have nucleophilic, reducing, or basic properties. In compounds that are regarded as hydrides, the hydrogen atom is bonded to a more
electropositive element or group. Compounds containing hydrogen bonded to metals or metalloid may also be referred to as hydrides, even though in this case the hydrogen atoms can have a
protic character. Almost all of the elements form
binary compounds with hydrogen, the exceptions being
He,
Ne,
Ar,
Kr,
Pm,
Os,
Ir,
Rn,
Fr, and
Ra.