The two reagents combined to yield the "cis" hyponitrite quantitatively as white microcrystals. There are "cis" and "trans" forms of the hyponitrite ion . For example, reaction with "t"-butyl chloride yields "trans" di-"tert"-butyl hyponitrite. Silver hyponitrite reacts with alkyl halides, to form alkyl hyponitrites. Sodium hyponitrite ("trans") is conventionally prepared by reduction of sodium nitrite with sodium amalgam. An acid hyponitrite is an ionic compound with the anion ([HON=NO]). Silver hyponitrite can be prepared also by reducing silver nitrate with sodium amalgam. The hyponitrite ions can act as a bidentate ligand in either bridging or chelating mode. Hyponitrite can act as a bridging or chelating bidentate ligand.