Answer to Question #26100 in Inorganic Chemistry for soso

Question

When MAGNESIUM IS not allowed sufficient air in part b some MAGNESIUM nitride form. If the mg3n3 is not decomposed in part b will the report MAGNESIUM to oxygen ratio be high or low??

Answer 1

In the reaction of magnesium oxide with oxygen in addition to a small amount of nitride:

2Mg + O₂ = 2MgO

3Mg + N₂ = Mg₃N₂

To obtain the target nitride used the following methods: Davis for magnesium nitride in a stream of nitrogen or ammonia recommends a temperature in the range between the temperature and the boiling point of magnesium sublimation to, sublimed magnesium could destroy the layer of nitride for continuous nitriding. Shtakkelberg and Paulus received magnesium nitride magnesium when heated during 4 hours in a stream of ammonia at 850 °C followed by 1.5 hours by heating in a stream of nitrogen to remove the adsorbed ammonia. In the same paper describes a method for the preparation of single crystals of magnesium nitride, is the rapid heating of a piece of magnesium to 1050 ° C (ie, almost to the melting point equal to 1107 ° C) in a slow stream of nitrogen in iron boat.