Metal ternary amalgam

Metal-induced reductive dimerization of carbonyl compounds is a useful synthetic method for the formation of vicinally functionalized carbon-carbon bonds. For stoichiometric reductive dimerizations, low-valent metals such as aluminum amalgam, titanium, vanadium, zinc, and samarium have been employed. Alternatively, ternary systems consisting of catalytic amounts of a metal salt or metal complex, a chlorosilane, and a stoichiometric co-reductant provide a catalytic method for the formation of pinacols based on reversible redox couples.2 The homocoupling of aldehydes is effected by vanadium or titanium catalysts in the presence of Me3SiCl and Zn or A1 to give the 1,2-diol derivatives high selectivity for the /-isomer is observed in the case of secondary aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes. 

Na-K alloys are used in heat-exchange systems. Ternary alloy 10.1 at.% Na, 47.4 at.% K and 42.5 at.% Cs (L (Cs) + (K) + (CsNa2, KNa2)) probably has the lowest known melting point (—76°C) of all the metallic systems. Sodium amalgams, owing to their reducing properties, can be used in chemical synthesis processes. 

Alloy formation is of great technological importance. Indeed, the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and other epochal historical transformations are characteristically identified with metallurgical advances in alloying. Well-known binary or ternary alloys that underlie aspects of modem life include bronze (Cu/Sn), brass (Cu/Zn), stainless steel (Fe/Ni/Cr), coinage and jewelry metals (Au/Ni, Ag/Cu), amalgams (Hg/Ag/Cu), and aluminum can material (Al/Mn), among many others. 

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