Potassium amide explained

Potassium amide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . Like other alkali metal amides, it is a white solid that hydrolyzes readily. It is a strong base.[1]

Production

Potassium amide is produced by the reaction of ammonia with potassium. The reaction typically requires a catalyst.[2]

Structure

Traditionally is viewed as a simple salt, but it has significant covalent character and is highly aggregated in ammonia solution. The compound has been characterized by X-ray crystallography as the solvent-free form[3] as well as the mono- and diammonia solvates. In, the potassium centers are each bonded to two amido ligands and four ammonia ligands, all six of which bridge to adjacent potassium centers. The result is a chain of hexacoordinate potassium ions. The K– distances are 2.7652(11) whereas the K– distances are respectively 2.9234(11) and 3.0698(11) Å.[4]

References

  1. Book: 10.1002/047084289X.rp193. Potassium Amide. Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. 2001. Takaki. Katherine S.. 0471936235.
  2. Book: O. Glemser, H. Sauer. Silver Amide . Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. . G. Brauer. Academic Press. 1963. NY, NY. 1. 1043.
  3. 10.1002/zaac.19653380309. Die Kristallstrukturen der Tieftemperaturmodifikationen von Kalium- und Rubidiumamid. 1965. Juza. R.. Jacobs. H.. Klose. W.. Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie. 338. 3–4. 171–178.
  4. 10.1002/zaac.200400467. Hydrogen Bonds in Potassium Amide-Ammonia(1/2), KNH2.2NH3. 2005. Kraus. Florian. Korber. Nikolaus. Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie. 631. 6–7. 1032–1034.