LITHIUM NITRIDE Li3N

Properties of lithium nitride:

Dark-red, melts under pressure, decomposed under heating. Fully hydrolyzed in water, decomposes by acids.

 

Obtaining lithium nitride:

6 Li + N2 (moist) = 2 Li3N (normal temp.)

6 Li + N2 = 2 Li3N (200-250° C, р)

3 LiH + N2 = Li3N +NH3 (500-600° C)


Reactions with lithium nitride:

2 Li3N = 6 Li + N2 (300-500° C, vacuum).

Li3N + 4 H2O (cold) = 3 LiOH + NH3-H2O.

Li3N + 4 HCl (diluted) = 3 LiCl + NH4Cl.

Li3N + 3 H2 = 3 LiH + NH3 (300° C, impurity Li2NH)
 

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