ECHEMI | Calcium nitride (Ca3N2)

Calcium nitride has the formula of Ca3N2 and the molecular weight of grams per mole. It can be prepared by the reaction of Cametal in a pure stream of nitrogen gas: 3Ca + 2N2. A second method is the decomposition of an amide: 3Ca(NH2)2 + heat Ca3N2 + 4NH3 This must be accomplished in an inert atmosphere (not nitrogen gas).