Abstract: The invention relates to monodispersable, optionally magnetic particles containing one or more metals, optionally, protected by a secondary treatment with air, having an adjustable average particle size of between 2 and 15 nm and a narrow distribution of particle size with a standard variance of 1.6 nm at the most. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said materials. Said materials are used in an isolated form or dispersed in a solution inter alia as a sealing medium against dust and gas in magnetic fluid sealing systems (liquid O-ring) for the lubrication and bearing of rotating shafts (magnetic levitation bearings), for the magneto-optical storage of information and additionally, for the magnetic marking of cells and the separation thereof in biological samples or for the local application of medicaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to new single- or multi-metallic magnetic colloid particles (for example, Fe, Co, Ni, Fe/Co) having a size of up to 20 nm, the surface of which is protected against corrosion by precious metals, such as Pd, Ag, Pt or Au. The invention also relates to a method for producing such materials. In isolated form or in solution said materials are used among other things as sealing media against dust and gas in magnetic fluid seals (liquid O ring), for lubricating and mounting rotating shafts (magnetic levitation bearing), for the magnetooptic storage of information as well as for the magnetic marking of cells and their separation in biological samples or for the local administration of medicines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying the dispersing properties of organometallic-prestabilized or organometallic-pretreated nanometal colloids by reacting reactive metal-carbon bonds in the protective shell to prepare nanometal colloids having a wide range of solubilities in hydrophilic and hydrophobic media including water, to the colloids thus prepared and their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to new single- or multi-metallic magnetic colloid particles (for example, Fe, Co, Ni, Fe/Co) having a size of up to 20 nm, the surface of which is protected against corrosion by precious metals, such as Pd, Ag, Pt or Au. The invention also relates to a method for producing such materials. In isolated form or in solution said materials are used among other things as sealing media against dust and gas in magnetic fluid seals (liquid O ring), for lubricating and mounting rotating shafts (magnetic levitation bearing), for the magnetooptic storage of information as well as for the magnetic marking of cells and their separation in biological samples or for the local administration of medicines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing tenside-stabilized colloids of mono- and bimetals of the group VIII and Ib of the periodic system which are isolable in the form of powder and which are soluble at a concentration of at least 10 mg atom of metal/l of water, from metal salts in the presence of strongly hydrophilic tensides with hydrotriorganoborates in THF, or with simple chemical reduction agents like hydrogen or alkali formate in water and alcohols, respectively. Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention is the use of tenside-stabilized colloids which are produced according to this process as precursor for supported catalysts for the selective cis-hydrogenation of C--C triple bonds, for the selective hydrogenation of functional groups at the aromatic nucleus, for the selective hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexene, for the partial oxidation of the primary alcohol functionality in carbohydrates, as well as for use as a precursor for electrocatalysts in fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing highly active doped supported catalysts from an organic or inorganic support material and a catalyst metal precursor, characterized in that the support material is doped with lower-valent readily decomposable metal compounds of at least one metal of groups 4, 5 and/or 6 of the Periodic Table in the presence of solvents prior to or simultaneously with the operation of coating with the catalyst metal precursor in the form of metal particles, metal clusters or metal colloids of at least one metal of groups 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or 11 of the Periodic Table, wherein the metal(s) of the catalyst metal precursor and the metal(s) of the lower-valent metal compound have been derived from different groups of the Periodic Table, optionally followed by an after-treatment with oxygen, and all steps are carried out at a temperature of between -18.degree. C. and +25.degree. C.The invention further relates to the use of the catalysts prepared by said process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of finely divided microcrystalline-to-amorphous metal and/or alloy powders and of metals and/or alloys in the form of colloidal solutions in organic solvents, which is process is characterized in that in inert organic solvents metal salts individually or in admixture are reacted with alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal hydrides which are maintained in solution by means of organoboron or organogallium complexing agents, or with tetraalkylammonium triorganoborohydrate, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of finely divided microcrystalline-to-amorphous metal and/or alloy powders and of metals and/or alloys in the form of colloidal solutions in organic solvents, which is process is characterized in that in inert organic solvents metal salts individually or in admixture are reacted with alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal hydrides which are maintained in solution by means of organoboron or organogallium complexing agents, or with tetraalkylammonium triorgano-borohydrate, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing acicular non-sintered iron metal pigments for magnetic signal recording, having a high storage density, high saturation magnetization and remanence, the coercive field strength of which at a given crystallite size of the starting material is low and is increased as desired by subsequent annealing. The preparation of said iron metal pigments is effected by reduction of iron oxide compounds with metal hydrides of metals of the Groups I or II of the Periodic Table of Elements in organic solvents, with the metal hydrides being solvatized with a carrier in the form of a carrier complex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing acicular non-sintered iron metal pigments for magnetic signal recording, having a high storage density, high saturation magnetization and remanence, the coercive field strength of which at a given crystallite size of the starting material is low and is increased as desired by subsequent annealing. The preparation of said iron metal pigments is effected by reduction of iron oxide compounds with metal hydrides of metals of the Groups I or II of the Periodic Table of Elements in organic solvents, with the metal hydrides being solvatized with a carrier in the form of a carrier complex.