Molecules mimicking atoms: monomers and dimers of alkali metal solvated electron precursors

Abstract

Tetra-amino lithium and sodium complexes M(NH₃)0,−4 (M = Li, Na) have one or two electrons that occupy diffuse hydrogenic type orbitals distributed chiefly outside the M(NH₃)₄⁺ core. Two such neutral species can bind to form a dimer which can be seen as the analogue of molecular hydrogen.