The formula for sodium nitride is explained in this article. A highly unstable alkali metal nitride, it is an inorganic compound. Atomic beams of nitrogen and sodium are combined and deposited on a sapphire substrate at low temperatures to create it. As a result, it readily decomposes into its constituent elements. Sodium Nitride has the molecular formula Na3N.
The bandgap is that of a semiconductor at room temperature, and almost 90% of the atoms are ionic. There is an anti-ReO structure consisting of a simple lattice composed of NNa octahedra. There is a 236.6 pm bond length between Na and N. Through X-ray diffraction, structural conformation can be determined.
Depending on its synthesis process, the compound appears reddish-brown to dark blue. The material does not have a melting point.
What is Sodium Nitride Chemical Formula?
As it does not contain carbon-hydrogen atoms, sodium nitride is an inorganic compound. According to its chemical formula, sodium nitride contains highly unstable alkali metal nitride. The periodic table places sodium in group 1. In this case, electrons are created by losing 1+ions, i.e. Na+, resulting in single free electrons.
The element nitrogen belongs to the periodic table’s group 5.
A nitrogen ion is formed when three electrons are gained, resulting in N3-ions. In order to create them, nitrogen and sodium atoms, which are deposited on sapphire under low temperatures, are combined. There are 82.976 g in a molecular mass of sodium nitride. By balancing the constituent ions, the ionic component is created. As a result, three sodium ions are balanced with one nitride ion to form the ionic components.
Na3N is the chemical formula for sodium nitride. It is as highly unstable as sodium nitride. The elemental composition of sodium nitride is sodium and nitrogen, which readily dissolve into each other.
2 Na3N → 6 Na + N2
(Formula of Sodium Nitride)
Sodium nitride’s molecule formula needs to be calculated. Binary ionic compounds are named according to the following rules:
1. Metals keep their names and are named and written first.
2. Now that the nonmetal name’s ending is -ide, it keeps its base name.
Ionic compounds typically consist of a metal (Na), which is a member of Group 1A. There is a charge of +1 on it. Na+ represents metal ions. Nitrogen is the nonmetal counterpart of nitride. The Group 5A elements have the ability to form -3 ions. So, N3- is the nonmetallic ion. When the charge of the ion goes to the subscript of the counterion, it gives rise to ionic compounds. It will appear as Na3N in the formula unit or molecular formula.
Structure of Sodium Nitride
The Anti-ReO structure of sodium nitride can be seen in its formula. A simple lattice structure is also found in sodium nitride, which is composed of NNa Octahedra. Approximately 236.6 pm is the length of the N-Na bond. X-ray diffraction can be used to record the structural formation of sodium nitride. It shares the same anion as sodium nitride with sodium amide and sodium imide. Lithium nitride and potassium nitride contain a similar cation.
An Overview of the Chemistry of Sodium Nitride
- Nitrate of sodium has a bandgap equal to that of semiconductors at its ambient temperature.
- Sodium nitride is a dark blue-red to reddish-brown color. Based on the synthesis process, sodium nitrides have different colors.
- The nitride of sodium does not have a boiling point.
- Melting points and boiling points of sodium and nitrogen ionic compounds are very high. The oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other due to electrostatic attraction.
- Sodium nitride can be formed with an enthalpy rate of approximately +64 kJ/mol.
- Nitrides of sodium can be dissolved in water.
- Decomposition of sodium nitride takes place at 86.85°C or 360°K.
Synthesis of Sodium Nitride
By thermal decomposition of NaNH2 or by the direct method, sodium nitrite can be synthesized. A cavity is created when sodium forms in nitrogen and nitrogen are introduced into it as sodium ions and they will rearrange themselves and accommodate near nitrogen. Sodium ions move closer to nitrogen to form the conduction band of s electrons. Between them, there is an energy bandgap, which creates a metallic compound that is equivalent to a semiconductor or insulator.
Conclusion
Sodium nitride is an inorganic compound, which means it does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. Nitrides of sodium are highly unstable alkali metals. As a result, they can easily decompose into sodium and nitrogen ions. Potassium nitride and lithium nitride have the same cation as lithium nitride, but are alkali metals that are stable. In either case, sodium nitride (Na3N) can be synthesized by thermal decomposition of NaNH2 or by a direct reaction. Food preservation is widely practiced with them.