definition
A compound of nitrogen where nitrogen has an oxidation state of −3.
It combines directly with lithium, calcium and magnesium when heated, whilst nitrides of the rare earth metals are also produced when their oxides are mixed with magnesium and heated in a current of nitrogen (C. Matignon, Comptes rendus, 1900, 131, p. 837).
Several nitrides have been described.
Tantalum forms a sulphide, TaS 2, and two nitrides, TaN 2 and Ta3N5, have been described.
The formation of nitrides and cyanamides by actions of this kind and their easy conversion into ammonia is a useful method for fixing the nitrogen of the atmosphere and rendering it available for manurial purposes.
Nitrides, Nitrates, Several nitrides are known.
These include the nitrides, halides, oxides and hydrides.