Abstract: Alkali metal alkylamides, for example, potassium methylamide or mixtures of lithium and potassium methylamides, containing impurities may be purified by a novel process. The first step of the process comprises reacting the alkali metal alkylamides, in solution in methylamine, with ammonia to form the corresponding alkali metal amides which precipitate from solution while the impurities remain dissolved. The solid alkali metal amides are then separated from the solution, e.g., by filtration. The solution containing the impurities is distilled; and the distillate, comprised of methylamine containing some ammonia, is contacted with the alkali metal amides under reflux conditions and then the solution is rectified to remove ammonia. Under these conditions the alkali metal amides react with the methylamine to form a solution in methylamine of alkali metal methylamides freed of impurities. The solution is suitable for use as a catalyst for a deuterium enrichment process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing alkali metal hydrides by absorbing hydrogen gas under pressure into a mixture of lower alkyl mono amines and alkali metal alkyl amides selected from sodium and potassium amides formed from said amines. The present invention also includes purification of a mixture of the amines and amides which contain impurities, such as is used as a catalytic exchange liquid in the enrichment of deuterium, involving the formation of the alkali metal hydride.