Ammonium azide

Summary

Ammonium azide is the chemical compound with the formula [NH4]N3, being the salt of ammonia and hydrazoic acid. Like other inorganic azides, this colourless crystalline salt is a powerful explosive, although it has a remarkably low sensitivity. [NH4]N3 is physiologically active and inhalation of small amounts causes headaches and palpitations. It was first obtained by Theodor Curtius in 1890, along with other azides.

Ammonium azide
Names
IUPAC name
Ammonium azide
Other names
Ammonium trinitride
Identifiers
  • 12164-94-2
3D model (JSmol)
  • Interactive image
ChemSpider
  • 8488511
ECHA InfoCard 100.032.093 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 235-315-4
  • 61555
  • DTXSID10923913 Edit this at Wikidata
  • InChI=1S/HN3.H3N/c1-3-2;/h1H;1H3
    Key: MXZUDRZKSUUQRR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • N.N=[N+]=[N-]
Properties
[NH4]N3
Molar mass 60.059 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline solid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.3459 g/cm3
Melting point 160 °C (320 °F; 433 K)
Boiling point 400 °C (752 °F; 673 K) (decomposes)
Structure[1]
Orthorhombic
Pman
a = 8.930, b = 8.642, c = 3.800
4
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Very toxic, explosive
Related compounds
Other anions
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium cyanide
Ammonium carbamate
Other cations
Lithium azide
Sodium azide
Potassium azide
Rubidium azide
Caesium azide
Silver azide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Structure edit

Ammonium azide is ionic, meaning it consists of ammonium cation [NH4]+ and azide anion N3, therefore its formula is [NH4]+[N3]. It is a structural isomer of tetrazene. Ammonium azide contains about 93% nitrogen by mass.

References edit

  1. ^ Frevel, Ludo K. (1 January 1936). "The Crystal Structure of Ammonium Azide, NH4N3". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials. 94 (1–6): 197. doi:10.1524/zkri.1936.94.1.197. S2CID 100695095.
  • Yakovleva, G. S.; Kurbangalina, R. Kh.; Stesik, L. N. (1977). "Detonation properties of ammonium azide". Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves. 13 (3): 405. doi:10.1007/BF00740326. S2CID 93777687.
  • Salim de Amorim, Helio; do Amaral, M. R.; Pattison P.; Ludka I. P.; Mendes, J. C. (2002). "Ammonium azide: A Commented Example of an Ab Initio Structure (Re-)Determination From X-Ray Diffraction" (PDF). Revista de la Sociedad Química de Mexico. 45 (4): 313–319. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-04-06.
  • Curtius, Th. (1890). "Ueber Stickstoffwasserstoffsäure (Azoimid) N3H". Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. 23 (2): 3023–3033. doi:10.1002/cber.189002302232.