Addition of a complexant like crown ether or [2.2.2]-cryptand to a solution of [Na(NH3)6]+e− affords [Na (crown ether)]+e− or [Na(2,2,2-crypt)]+e−. Evaporation of these solutions yields a blue-black paramagnetic solid with the formula [Na(2,2,2-crypt)]+e−.
Most solid electride salts decompose above 240 K, although [Ca24Al28O64]4+(e−)4 is stable at room temperature.[3] In these salts, the electron is delocalized between the cations. Electrides are paramagnetic, and are Mott insulators. Properties of these salts have been analyzed.[4]
ThI2 and ThI3 have also been reported to be electride compounds.[5] Similarly, CeI2, LaI2, GdI2, and PrI2 are all electride salts with a tricationic metal ion.[6][7]
Reactions
Solutions of electride salts are powerful reducing agents, as demonstrated by their use in the Birch reduction. Evaporation of these blue solutions affords a mirror of Na metal. If not evaporated, such solutions slowly lose their colour as the electrons reduce ammonia:
This conversion is catalyzed by various metals.[8] An electride, [Na(NH3)6]+e−, is formed as a reaction intermediate.
High-pressure elements
Theoretical evidence supports electride behaviour in insulating high-pressure forms of potassium, sodium, and lithium. Here the isolated electron is stabilized by efficient packing, which reduces enthalpy under external pressure. The electride is identified by a maximum in the electron localization function, which distinguishes the electride from pressure-induced metallization. Electride phases are typically semiconducting or have very low conductivity,[9][10][11] usually with a complex optical response.[12] A sodium compound called disodium helide has been created under 113 gigapascals (1.12×10^6 atm) of pressure.[13]
Layered electrides (Electrenes)
Layered electrides or electrenes are single-layer materials consisting of alternating atomically thin two-dimensional layers of electrons and ionized atoms.[14][15] The first example was Ca2N, in which the charge (+4) of two calcium ions is balanced by the charge of a nitride ion (-3) in the ion layer plus a charge (-1) in the electron layer.[14]
↑Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN0-12-352651-5
↑Buchammagari, H. (2007). "Room Temperature-Stable Electride as a Synthetic Organic Reagent: Application to Pinacol Coupling Reaction in Aqueous Media". Org. Lett.9 (21): 4287–4289. doi:10.1021/ol701885p. PMID17854199.
↑Wagner, M. J.; Huang, R. H.; Eglin, J. L.; Dye, J. L. (1994). "An electride with a large six-electron ring". Nature368 (6473): 726–729. doi:10.1038/368726a0. Bibcode: 1994Natur.368..726W..
↑Wang, Hui-Tian; Boldyrev, Alexander I.; Popov, Ivan A.; Konôpková, Zuzana; Prakapenka, Vitali B.; Zhou, Xiang-Feng; Dronskowski, Richard; Deringer, Volker L. et al. (May 2017). "A stable compound of helium and sodium at high pressure". Nature Chemistry9 (5): 440–445. doi:10.1038/nchem.2716. ISSN1755-4349. PMID28430195. Bibcode: 2017NatCh...9..440D.
J. L. Dye; M. J. Wagner; G. Overney; R. H. Huang; T. F. Nagy; D. Tománek (1996). "Cavities and Channels in Electrides". J. Am. Chem. Soc.118 (31): 7329–7336. doi:10.1021/ja960548z.