Zintl ions are typically prepared through one of two methods. The first is a direct reduction route performed at low temperature. In this method, dry ammonia is condensed over a mixture of the two (or more) metals under inert atmosphere. The reaction initially produces solvated electrons in ammonia that reduce the more electronegative element over the course of the reaction. This reaction can be monitored by a color change from blue (solvated electrons) to the color of the Zintl phase. The second is method, performed at higher temperatures, is to dissolve a Zintl phase in liquid ammonia or other polar aprotic solvent like ethylenediamine (on rare occasions DMF or pyridine is used). Some Zintl ions, such as Si and Ge based ions, can only be prepared via this indirect method because they cannot be reduced at low temperatures.