DIFFERENT BEHAVIOR OF K- AND NA- INTERACTING WITH K-24-CROWN-8 IN TETRAHYDROFURAN( COMPLEXED BY DICYCLOHEXANO)

The properties of potassium and sodium-potassium alloy solutions in te trahydrofuran with dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 as a complexing agent were studied by means of K-39 and Na-23 NMR, ESR, and chromatographic meth ods. The metal solubility and composition of the systems as well as th e temperature dependence of the T-1 and T-2 relaxation times for metal ions are described. Exchange mechanisms are proposed for both systems . The stabilities of the solutions are compared and reveal enhanced re sistance of the NaK system to decomposition. The unexpected behavior o f Na- as compared to that of K- is discussed in terms of equilibrium p rocesses involving ''genuine'' Na- ions and Na- dissociation products.