Abstract: An aqueous solution for etching and activating a surface of a nonconductive substrate for subsequent chemical and, if necessary, electrochemical deposition of a metal coating containing both an activator and an etching agent. The activator is a salt or complex compound containing a metal selected from group Ib or group VIII of the periodic table. The etching agent is manganate or permanganate ion. This solution can be used in a shortened process for metallizing isolated surfaces, especially as a part of a process for making electrical connecting elements and circuit boards.

Abstract: A conditioning agent is disclosed, for the pre-treatment of base materials for subsequent complete and uniform chemical metallization, characterized by a content of a quaternary organic nitrogen compound. Also disclosed is a process for the pre-treatment of base materials, employing said conditioning agent. Preferred embodiments include as active agent at least one compound of the general formula ##STR1## represents a cyclical nitrogen compound, R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or hydroxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 -alkyl,n is 0 or 1, andX.sup.(-) is the anion of an inorganic or an organic acid.

Abstract: A conditioning agent is disclosed, for the pre-treatment of base materials for subsequent complete and uniform chemical metallization, characterized by a content of a quaternary organic nitrogen compound. Also disclosed is a process for the pre-treatment of base materials, employing said conditioning agent. Preferred embodiments include as active agent at least one compound of the general formula ##STR1## represents a cyclical nitrogen compound, R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or hydroxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 -alkyl,n is 0 or 1, andx.sup.(-) is the anion of an inorganic or an organic acid.