| abstract |
Novel water soluble, inorganic complexes are obtained by reacting, in the presence of aqueous ammonia, at least one non-alkaline metal selected from Groups I-VIII of the Periodic Table with an alkali metal hydroxide. An excess of the non-alkaline metal or metals is introduced into a reaction vessel, preferably already containing the aqueous ammonia, and the alkali metal hydroxide is thereafter incrementally added in such manner as to create localized areas of high concentration and pH approaching a value of 14. The hydrooxide in these areas of high concentration, in combination with reactive NH2 groups provided by the aqueous ammonia, causes erosion of the non-alkaline metal, the formation of non-alkaline metal ions and the production of a monomeric, metal amide complex. The reaction parameters are maintained such that the rate of addition of alkali metal hydroxide is sufficient to suppress the expulsion from the system of ammonia gas while at the same time producing an overall endothermic reaction in which the ions of the alkali metal, the non-alkaline metal and the NH2 groups react to produce an inorganic complex. If the endothermic reaction is maintained and sufficient excess non-alkaline metal is present in the aqueous medium, after a period of time the reaction will enter an exothermic phase, producing an inorganic polymeric complex which remains soluble in water throughout a substantial molecular weight range. |