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Azide ion

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Identification
Molecular formula
N3-
CAS number
12533-61-6
IUPAC name
azide
State
State
At room temperature, azide ions exist in solution or in solid azide salts form. The azide ion itself is not isolated but typically exists within a compound matrix.
Melting point (Celsius)
-80.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
193.15
Boiling point (Celsius)
-10.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
263.15
General information
Molecular weight
42.02g/mol
Molar mass
42.0210g/mol
Density
1.8500g/cm3
Appearence

The azide ion is typically colorless in salt form. It can form azides, which can have appearances ranging from crystallized solids to powdery forms, depending on the cation they are paired with. For instance, sodium azide appears as a white crystalline solid.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Azide Compounds

Azide compounds, characterized by the azide functional group (-N≡N-), exhibit distinct solubility properties that can vary significantly based on their chemical structure and the counterions they are paired with.

General Solubility Characteristics

  • Water Solubility: Many azides, especially sodium azide (NaN3), display good solubility in water due to their ionic nature. This results in the formation of a clear solution.
  • Solvent Interaction: Azides may show variable solubility in organic solvents. For instance, alkyl azides are often less soluble in polar solvents compared to their ionic counterparts.
  • Influence of Temperature: Solubility can increase with temperature, especially for salts and other crystalline azides, meaning that heat may facilitate better dissolution.

Factors Influencing Solubility

The solubility of azides is influenced by:

  • The nature of the counterion: Alkali metal azides, such as LiN3 and KN3, tend to be more soluble than heavier metal azides.
  • Hydration energy: Azides with smaller, more highly charged counterions generally have higher solubility due to stronger interactions with water molecules.
  • Concentration effects: In concentrated solutions, the solubility limits may vary, leading to precipitation of less soluble azide species.

In conclusion, understanding the solubility of azides is essential, especially in contexts involving aqueous reactions or synthesis. Different azide compounds can lead to a variety of outcomes in terms of solubility, and thus their applications depend on these very properties.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts about Azide

Azide, a fascinating and important chemical compound, is notable for several reasons:

  • Versatile Chemistry: Azide groups (–N3) can be found in various compounds. They are essential intermediates in organic synthesis, allowing chemists to create a wide range of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.
  • Explosive Nature: Certain azides exhibit highly explosive properties. For instance, lead azide is commonly used as a primary explosive in detonators. This makes the study of azides critical not only in chemistry but also in safety protocols in laboratories.
  • Bioorthogonal Reactivity: Azides participate in click chemistry, a powerful tool in biochemistry that allows for selective reactions without affecting other groups in a molecule. This characteristic has made them highly valuable in the development of targeted drug delivery systems.
  • Historical Context: Azides gained considerable attention during World War II due to their use in explosives. The underlying chemistry has since expanded into various fields, showcasing the dual nature of azides as both beneficial and hazardous.

Overall, the study and application of azides in modern science highlight a complex interplay between utility and safety. As chemists explore new ways to harness their unique properties, azides continue to be a compound of interest in various research fields.

Synonyms
azide
Azide ion
Hydrazoate
14343-69-2
Nitrogen ion (N3-)
Azide ion(1-)
Azides
Azide(1-)
Trinitrogen ion (N3-)
88BIA49L8P
DTXSID8074310
RefChem:560535
DTXCID2034673
CHEBI:22680
Azide anion
CHEMBL79455
CHEBI:40910
Azide (N3-)
Hydrazoic acid, ion (1-)
UNII-88BIA49L8P
CCRIS 1791
trinitride(1-)
trinitride (1-)
Azide, negative ion
TRINITRIDE
Azide(1-) ion
SCHEMBL165
2$l^{6}-triaza-1,2-diyne
BDBM26985
Bio1_000464
Bio1_000953
Bio1_001442
HYDRAZOIC ACID, ION(1-)
NCGC00090996-02
NCGC00090996-03
IRBESARTAN IMPURITY B [EP IMPURITY]
N3(-)
NS00080700
C19935
N3(-1)
Q10853389