Lanthanum nitride is a binary inorganic compound of lanthanum and nitride with the chemical formula LaN.
Preparation
Lanthanum nitride can be prepared from the reaction of nitrogen and lanthanum trihydride:
- 2LaH3 N2 → 2LaN 3H2
It can also be prepared from the reaction of ammonia and lanthanum trihydride:
- LaH3 NH3 → LaN 3H2
The reaction of nitrogen and lanthanum amalgam can also work:
- La 1/2 N2 → LaN
(1000 - 1400 C)
Ammonia is more reactive than N2 gas, so the synthesis works at lower temperatures:
La NH3 -> LaN 3/2 H2 (700 C)
Physical properties
Lanthanum nitride forms black powder that is insoluble in water. Their crystals are of the cubic system with the Fm3m space group.
It is paramagnetic.
Chemical properties
Lanthanum nitride reacts with water and moisture from the air:
- LaN 3H2O → La(OH)3 NH3
It reacts with acids:
- LaN 4HCl → LaCl3 NH4Cl
Uses
Gerbicidum. LaN is used as a LED material, magnetic material, semiconductor, refractory material, dyes, catalyst.
References
