The dependence of the kinetics on ionic strength, or alternatively cation concentration, is just as puzzling . Sodium ion has been shown to decrease the reaction rate of silica condensation at early stages yet increase crystallization and growth at later stages . found an exponential increase in oligomerization rates with ionic strength. found rates that varied with the salt added according to the following relationship: AlCl3 > CaCl2 > MgCl2 > NaCl > CsCl > no salt. How these phenomena happen is unresolved. The complex relationships between rates and pH and ionic strength open the question of the existence of yet unidentified reactive species or class of species that favor neutral pH and high ionic strength.