Names | |
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IUPAC name
Beryllium nitride
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Other names
triberyllium dinitride
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Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol)
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.013.757 |
EC Number |
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UNII | |
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Properties | |
Be3N2 | |
Molar mass | 55.051 g·mol−1 |
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) |
decomposes | |
Solubility | decomposes in solutions of acid and base |
Structure | |
Cubic, cI80, SpaceGroup = Ia-3, No. 206 (α form) | |
Hazards | |
NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible)
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TWA 0.002 mg/m3 C 0.005 mg/m3 (30 minutes), with a maximum peak of 0.025 mg/m3 (as Be) [1] |
REL (Recommended)
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Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 (as Be) [1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger)
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Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)] [1] |
Related compounds | |
Other
cations
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Calcium nitride Magnesium nitride |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their
standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
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]
Beryllium nitride is prepared by heating beryllium metal powder with dry nitrogen in an oxygen-free atmosphere in temperatures between 700 and 1400 °C.
It is used in refractory ceramics [3] as well as in nuclear reactors.
It is used to produce radioactive
carbon-14 for tracer applications by the 14
7N + n → 14
6C + p reaction. It is favoured due to its stability, high nitrogen content (50%), and the very low cross section of beryllium for neutrons.
[4]
Beryllium nitride reacts with mineral acids producing ammonia and the corresponding salts of the acids:
In strong alkali solutions, a beryllate forms, with evolution of ammonia:
Both the acid and alkali reactions are brisk and vigorous. Reaction with water, however, is very slow:
Reactions with oxidizing agents are likely to be violent. It is oxidized when heated at 600 °C in air.