Beryllium nitride, Be3N2, is a nitride of beryllium. It can be prepared from the elements at high temperature (1100–1500 °C); 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. It is used to produce radioactive carbon-14 for tracer applications by the + n → + p reaction. It is favoured due to its stability, high nitrogen content (50%), and the very low capture cross section of beryllium for neutrons.

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.