The contribution of pulse radiolysis to the chemistry of alkali metal solutions

Abstract

Over 115 years have elapsed since the original discovery that alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia to produce intensely blue-coloured solutions. Subsequently, similar observations were made in a wide variety of amines and ethers. As a result of numerous investigations these solutions are now known to contain solvated electrons, e s −, an aggregate of e s − and the alkali metal cation, M or (M +, e s −), and the alkali metal anion M −. The nature and interrelation of these species is reviewed with particular emphasis on the role of pulse radiolysis in elucidating the optical spectra, extinction coefficients and overall chemistry of such solutions.