Ionic hydrides are usually formed by alkaline and alkaline earth metals reacting with hydrogen, whereas covalent hydrides are formed by nonmetals like boron, phosphorus, and silicon.
Ionic hydrides are compounds of hydrogen and highly electropositive metals, with hydrogen present as the hydride ion \( H^- \).
- MgH\(_2\) is an example of an ionic hydride, formed from magnesium (a metal) and hydrogen, where hydrogen acts as \( H^- \).
- BH\(_3\), PH\(_3\), and SiH\(_4\) are covalent hydrides; they are not ionic.