Solutions of Alkali Metals in Polyethers. I

Potassium, rubidium, and cesium have been found to dissolve in 1,2-dimethoxyethane and some of its homologs to give blue, electrically conducting solutions. Although sodium alone is insoluble, it is carried into solution by solvents already containing potassium. Approximate values for the solubilities and electrical conductivities are given at several temperatures. The optical absorption spectra for the region 300 mμ to 2.5 μ and the results of electron paramagnetic resonance studies are reported. Many features of these solutions clearly parallel those of the corresponding solutions of alkali metals in liquid ammonia or in amines. The properties of rubidium solutions are distinctly different from those of the other alkali metal solutions.