Silver azide

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Silver azide
Identifiers
CAS number	[13863-88-2]
Properties
Molecular formula	AgN3
Molar mass	149.888 g/mol
Appearance	colourless solid
Density	4.42 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	250 °C, explosive
Boiling point	decomp.
Solubility in other solvents	2.0x10-8 g/L
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Silver azide is the chemical compound with the formula AgN₃. This colourless solid is a well known explosive.

[edit] Preparation, structure, decomposition

Silver azide can be prepared by treating an aqueous solution of silver nitrate with sodium azide. The silver azide precipitates as a white solid.

AgNO₃(aq) + NaN₃(aq) → AgN₃(s) + NaNO₃(aq)

X-ray crystallography shows that AgN₃ is a coordination polymer with square planar Ag⁺ coordinated by four azide ligands. Correspondingly, each end of each azide ligand is connected to a pair of Ag⁺ centers.^[1]

In its most characteristic reaction, the solid decomposes explosively, releasing nitrogen gas:

2 AgN₃(s) → 3 N₂(g) + 2 Ag(s)

[edit] Safety

AgN₃, like most heavy metal azides, can be dangerously explosive.

[edit] References