Beryllium nitride


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

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 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:
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.