- #1
deezer
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Homework Statement
What state is Na3N in at room temperature?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I think it's solid, but I'm not sure.
Na3N State at Room Temperature | Homework Statement & Equations
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the state of sodium nitride (Na3N) at room temperature, with participants exploring its existence, properties, and synthesis methods. The conversation includes elements of chemistry theory and practical implications, as well as some confusion regarding the compound's nomenclature.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Homework-related
Main Points Raised
- One participant proposes that Na3N is solid at room temperature but expresses uncertainty.
- Another participant asserts that there is confusion regarding the compound, suggesting that Na3N may not be commonly recognized and referencing sodium azide (NaN3) instead.
- A participant clarifies that they are indeed discussing sodium nitride (Na3N) and its decomposition from sodium azide.
- Further contributions mention that sodium nitride is rare and unstable, with synthesis methods involving atomic beams and specific substrates like sapphire.
- One participant references a recent discovery regarding the synthesis and characterization of Na3N, indicating it crystallizes in a specific structure.
- Another participant acknowledges the potential for confusion and expresses a desire to confirm their understanding of the compound's properties.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the state of Na3N at room temperature, with some uncertainty about its existence and properties. Multiple viewpoints are presented regarding its stability and synthesis.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the rarity and instability of sodium nitride, along with the complexities involved in its synthesis. There are unresolved questions about the practical implications of working with such compounds.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be of interest to students and professionals in chemistry, particularly those exploring inorganic compounds and their properties.
What state is Na3N in at room temperature?
I think it's solid, but I'm not sure.
- #2
epenguin
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There is, in short, no such stuff.
You have asked several questions today with no answers yet. There is something seeming a bit strange about them frankly but I hope you get answers.
I mean I would think anyone who needed to know about that stuff would know it was NaN3 - sodium azide.
It is a white crystalline substance but the first thing much more important to know than that is that it is very toxic and potentially mortal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_azide
You have asked several questions today with no answers yet. There is something seeming a bit strange about them frankly but I hope you get answers.
I mean I would think anyone who needed to know about that stuff would know it was NaN3 - sodium azide.
It is a white crystalline substance but the first thing much more important to know than that is that it is very toxic and potentially mortal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_azide
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- #3
deezer
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No it's Na3N not NaN3,
I am talking about the decomposition of solid sodium azide (NaN3) to sodium nitride Na3N and nitrogen gas (N2). I just want to know what state sodium nitride is in at room temperature.
I am talking about the decomposition of solid sodium azide (NaN3) to sodium nitride Na3N and nitrogen gas (N2). I just want to know what state sodium nitride is in at room temperature.
- #4
epenguin
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OK sorry. I had forgotten about nitrides because although they exist and are useful they do not seem to come into ordinary chemistry much.
I had had in mind to say you can manage these days to put the most unexpected combinations of atoms together violating traditional chemistry intuition but then I thought such chemistry would be irrelevant for you as it is for most of us.
It seems I was not far wrong for sodium nitride. It seems to be a laboratory rarity - extreme rarity. I now read that it is synthesised using atomic beams and deposited on a sapphire surface, which mean that the merest smidgens of it have ever been made and this nitride is said to be very unstable. I don't know that the reaction you mention has ever been observed, sodium azide can be made to decompose just to nitrogen and sodium which of course will soon react with something else. (In airbags).
I found this: "Na3N—An Original Synthetic Route for a Long Sought After Binary Nitride (pages 1701–1702)
The game of hide and seek is over: The existence of a binary sodium nitride Na3N (see structure) has been the subject of speculation for a long time. Recently, through a novel experimental method, the synthesis and structural characterization of this compound has been successful. The compound crystallizes in the unexpected anti-Re3O structure type.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1521-3773%2820020517%2941:10%3C%3E1.0.CO;2-F/issuetoc"[/I] So it looks to be a solid which I would expect and the crystal structure has even been determined.
Quite a recent discovery, 2002. Chemistry teachers usually discourage you from following up oddballs and rarities as you have to know the things you are likely to meet which is hard enough. You are not very likely to end up doing any chemistry that requires sapphire for instance. But knowing about such splendid obscurities has a horrible fascination and is motivating if you are really attracted by chemistry.
I've learned something now from this.
Are you sure that was the question though?
I had had in mind to say you can manage these days to put the most unexpected combinations of atoms together violating traditional chemistry intuition but then I thought such chemistry would be irrelevant for you as it is for most of us.
It seems I was not far wrong for sodium nitride. It seems to be a laboratory rarity - extreme rarity. I now read that it is synthesised using atomic beams and deposited on a sapphire surface, which mean that the merest smidgens of it have ever been made and this nitride is said to be very unstable. I don't know that the reaction you mention has ever been observed, sodium azide can be made to decompose just to nitrogen and sodium which of course will soon react with something else. (In airbags).
I found this: "Na3N—An Original Synthetic Route for a Long Sought After Binary Nitride (pages 1701–1702)
The game of hide and seek is over: The existence of a binary sodium nitride Na3N (see structure) has been the subject of speculation for a long time. Recently, through a novel experimental method, the synthesis and structural characterization of this compound has been successful. The compound crystallizes in the unexpected anti-Re3O structure type.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1521-3773%2820020517%2941:10%3C%3E1.0.CO;2-F/issuetoc"[/I] So it looks to be a solid which I would expect and the crystal structure has even been determined.
Quite a recent discovery, 2002. Chemistry teachers usually discourage you from following up oddballs and rarities as you have to know the things you are likely to meet which is hard enough. You are not very likely to end up doing any chemistry that requires sapphire for instance. But knowing about such splendid obscurities has a horrible fascination and is motivating if you are really attracted by chemistry.
I've learned something now from this.Are you sure that was the question though?
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- #5
deezer
- 18
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Yes I thought it would decompose into nitrogen and sodium too, but apparently it's Na3N... I'll ask around and post my results.
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