Preparation,characterization, and application of fine metal particles and metal colloids using hydrotriorganoborates

The reduction of transition metal salts and oxides using hydrotriorganoborates in organic media allows the production of X-ray amorphous nanopowders of metals and alloys under mild conditions. For example, the reduction of needle-shaped iron oxides at 80°C in organic solvents leads to acicular iron-magnet pigments suitable for recording magnetic signals. The reduction of TiCl₄ with KBEt₃H] gives an ether-soluble Ti(0)·0.5THF]_x which serves as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of titanium or zirconium sponges and related systems and as a powerful activator for heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. The use of tetraalkylammonium hydrotriorganoborates as reducing agents leads to colloidal transition metals in organic phases. These colloids may also be obtained using conventional reducing agents after first reacting the metal salts with the stabilizing tetraalkylammonium halide. Colloidal metals prepared in this way serve as sources for heterogeneous metal catalysts.