PURPOSE: To obtain a lithium amide mixture capable of forming a highly concentrated reagent composition by reacting in a solvent an alkyl lithium with a mixture comprising specific amines to yield lithium amides whose solubility in non-reactive hydrocarbon solvents is increased.

CONSTITUTION: In a suitable solvent, an alkyl lithium (e.g. n-butyllithium, etc.), is reacted with a mixture comprising amines (e.g. diisobutylamine, etc.), selected from the compounds expressed by formula I (R, R' and R" is H, 1-8C alkyl, alkylphenyl or monocyclic aliphatic alkyl), II (x is 2-8), III (R4 is H, alkyl or phenyl; R''' is H, alkyl or alkoxy; but at least one of R', R" and R''' is H; and w is 0-4) or IV (y is 2-6) whereby at least one of the resulting lithium amides is soluble in the solvent while another is less soluble.