Formation of an Fe-H complex anion in YFe2: adjustment of imbalanced charge by using additional Li as an electron donor

The novel complex hydride YLiFeH6 with the Fe-H complex anion ([FeH6](4-)) was synthesized by hydrogenation of YFe2 together with additional Li. Li adjusts the original imbalanced charge between Y3+ and [FeH6](4-) by donating an electron to convert into Li+ during the hydrogenation, resulting in the formation of the well charge-balanced state of Y3+Li+[FeH6](4-).