Experimental data which demands that one transcends the ‘method of neutral pseudoatoms’ for expanded alkali metals is first summarized. A chemical ‘bondrlsquo; provides a more basic building block than a pseudoatom. This ‘bond’ can be characterised by potential curves1σ+uand3σ+uof the appropriate free-space diatom (e.g. Na2) plus local coordination properties. The relation to the metal-insulator transition is thereby discussed as the coordination number reduces to 2.