Naming Li & N Compounds: Li3N Explanation

[Spectre32]

Hey, I was just wondering about naming this compound

Lithium and Nitrogen. I know Li has a +1 charge but Nitrogen can have a bunch. How do I know what one to pick. Also my teach has this written for the correct answer (2)Li3N... what is that (2) out there for?


Thanks

 

[chem_tr]

Lithium and nitrogen gives lithium nitride, Li₃N. I have no idea what (2) means here, but according to redox chemistry, we can find the required coefficients.

Lithium:from $Li^0$ to $Li^+$
Nitrogen: from $N_2$ to $N^{3-}$

$$6~Li~+~N_2 \xrightarrow {heat} 2~Li_3N$$

Look for Faraday's technique for synthesizing this compound.

 

[Spectre32]

Score thanks.

 

[Spectre32]

Oh yeah Umm question about this: For instance N have electron charges from +5 - (-1) How do you know what one to write down when combining it with an element.

 

[chem_tr]

Hello, I don't think nitrogen reduces from 5+ to 1- in any reaction, the most popular oxidation numbers for nitrogen are 5+, 4+, 2+, 1+, 0, and 3-. I may be wrong of course, but at least in your question, nitrogen changes from 0 to 3-; lithium is oxidized to its only oxidation state, 1+.

The order is as follows, first lithium is oxidized and electrons go out from it, and nitrogen gets electrons to reduce. As six electrons are needed to convert N₂ to 2N^3-, six moles of Li is needed as $6Li \rightarrow 6Li^+~+~e^-$.

 

[chem_tr]

A false statement about my last post:

My last LateX reaction is wrong, as it should be $6Li \rightarrow 6Li^++6e^-$. Sorry for seeing this too late.