Question

properties of alkali metal solutions in liquid ammonia

Answer 1

A solvated electron is a free electron in (solvated in) a solution, and is the smallest possible anion. Solvated electrons occur widely, although it is difficult to observe them directly since their lifetimes are so short.[1]The deep color of solutions of alkali metals in ammonia arises from the presence of solvated electrons: blue when dilute and copper-colored when more concentrated (> 3 molar).[2] Classically, discussions of solvated electrons focus on their solutions in ammonia, which are stable for days, but solvated electrons also occur in water and other solvents -- in fact, in any solvent that mediates outer-sphere electron transfer.