Knowledge Bank

All of the alkali metals are shown to form a weakly bonded complex with water. For lithium a di-water complex has been identified via EPR spectra. Previously published EPR $spectra1$ of the alkali metals in unusual matrix sites have been reinterpreted as due to a water complex. All spectral evidence suggests the water is hydrogen bonded to the metal through equivalent hydrogens. Infrared and EPR spectra of the complexes will be presented.