Abstract: Novel water soluble, inorganic complexes are obtained by reacting, in the presence of aqueous ammonia, at least one non-alkaline metal selected from Groups I-VIII of the Periodic Table with an alkali metal hydroxide. An excess of the non-alkaline metal or metals is introduced into a reaction vessel, preferably already containing the aqueous ammonia, and the alkali metal hydroxide is thereafter incrementally added in such manner as to create localized areas of high concentration and pH approaching a value of 14. The hydrooxide in these areas of high concentration, in combination with reactive NH.sub.2 groups provided by the aqueous ammonia, causes erosion of the non-alkaline metal, the formation of non-alkaline metal ions and the production of a monomeric, metal amide complex.