Beryllium nitride

Beryllium nitride
Names
	IUPAC name Beryllium nitride
	Other names triberyllium dinitride
Identifiers
CAS Number	1304-54-7 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; Interactive image; Interactive image;
ECHA InfoCard	100.013.757
EC Number	215-132-6;
UNII	P0T5F6IUK4;
	InChI InChI=1S/3Be.2N; InChI=1S/3Be.2N/q3+2;2-3; InChI=1S/3Be.2N/q;;+2;2*-1;
	SMILES [Be]=N[Be]N=[Be]; [Be+2].[Be+2].[Be+2].[N-3].[N-3]; [Be]=[N-].[Be+2].[N-]=[Be];
Properties
Chemical formula	Be3N2
Molar mass	55.06 g/mol
Appearance	yellow or white powder
Density	2.71 g/cm3
Melting point	2,200 °C (3,990 °F; 2,470 K)
Boiling point	2,240 °C (4,060 °F; 2,510 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	decomposes
Solubility in [[acids, bases]]	hydrolyzes
Structure
Crystal structure	Cubic, cI80, SpaceGroup = Ia-3, No. 206 (α form)
Hazards
	NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.002 mg/m3; C 0.005 mg/m3 (30 minutes), with a maximum peak of 0.025 mg/m3 (as Be)
REL (Recommended)	Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 (as Be)
IDLH (Immediate danger)	Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)]
Related compounds
Other cations	Calcium nitride; Magnesium nitride
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
	(what is ?)
	Infobox references

Beryllium nitride, Be₃N₂, is a nitride of beryllium. It can be prepared from the elements at high temperature (1100–1500 °C),^[2] unlike Beryllium azide or BeN₆, it decomposes in vacuum into beryllium and nitrogen.^[2] It is readily hydrolysed forming beryllium hydroxide and ammonia.^[2] It has two polymorphic forms cubic α-Be₃N₂ with a defect anti-fluorite structure, and hexagonal β-Be₃N₂.^[2] It reacts with silicon nitride, Si₃N₄ in a stream of ammonia at 1800–1900 °C to form BeSiN₂.^[2]

Preparation[]

Beryllium nitride is prepared by heating beryllium metal powder with dry nitrogen in an oxygen-free atmosphere in temperatures between 700 and 1400 °C.

Uses[]

It is used in refractory ceramics^[3] as well as in nuclear reactors and to produce radioactive carbon-14 for tracer applications.

Reactions[]

Beryllium nitride reacts with mineral acids producing ammonia and the corresponding salts of the acids:

Be₃N₂ + 6 HCl → 3 BeCl₂ + 2 NH₃

In strong alkali solutions, a beryllate forms, with evolution of ammonia:

Be₃N₂ + 6 NaOH → 3 Na₂BeO₂ + 2 NH₃

Both the acid and alkali reactions are brisk and vigorous. Reaction with water, however, is very slow:

Be₃N₂ + 6 H₂O → 3 Be(OH)₂ + 2 NH₃

Reactions with oxidizing agents are likely to be violent. It is oxidized when heated at 600 °C in air.

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier ISBN 0-12-352651-5
^ Hugh O. Pierson, 1996, Handbook of Refractory Carbides and Nitrides: Properties, Characteristics, Processing, and Applications, William Andrew Inc.,ISBN 0-8155-1392-5

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[PGCH-1] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

[Wiberg&Holleman-2] Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier ISBN 0-12-352651-5

[3] Hugh O. Pierson, 1996, Handbook of Refractory Carbides and Nitrides: Properties, Characteristics, Processing, and Applications, William Andrew Inc.,ISBN 0-8155-1392-5

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