Nitride
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The nitride ion is N3− (a nitrogen atom plus three electrons).
A nitride (compound) is a compound that has nitrogen with more electropositive elements.
Some nitrides are salt-like compounds, but many are inert compounds similar to carbides.
Nitride has 7 protons (like nitrogen) but has 10 electrons, 3 more than nitrogen. The mass nearly matches Nitrogen's with a nominal mass of 14 u; however, it is heavier by the mass of the three electrons or 0.001646u.
It exists in the solid state of ionic compounds with an alkali metal like lithium, sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metals, and or aluminium. Severe electron-electron repulsions make this ion a very powerful base, stronger even than hydride ion, so that it will actually deprotonate hydrogen gas. It is often rapidly hydrolyzed by water to form hydroxide ion and ammonia.
[edit] Examples
- lithium nitride (Li3N)
- boron nitride (BN)
- titanium nitride (TiN) - often used as a coating on metals to provide resistance to wear
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