'Sodium on solid support' (5-20 wt.% of Na on NaCl, glass powder, poly
(ethylene) and poly(propylene)) can be conveniently prepared via low-t
emperature (-33 degrees C) deposition of sodium from its solution in l
iquid ammonia. Use of this reagent in the acyloin reaction of carboxyl
ic eaters gave the corresponding products in good yields.