Sodium-metal and strontium-metal nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles of zerovalent sodium metal (5 ± 1 nm) and strontium metal (7 ± 3 nm) are synthesized in the liquid phase for the first time. The synthesis is performed in toluene with NaCp or SrI₂ and TMEDA-stabilized [LiNaph] as the reducing agent (TMEDA: N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine; [LiNaph]: lithium naphthalenide). Both nanoparticles are crystalline and highly reactive, as exemplarily indicated by the formation of phase-pure alkalides.