What is the formula unit of sodium nitride?

When it forms the nitride ion, it gains three electrons to form a 3- ion: N3− . In ionic compounds, the charges of constituent ions must balance. This can be achieved by having three sodium ions per nitride ion. Therefore, the formula of sodium nitride is Na3N . However, Na3N is extremely unstable. read more

When it forms the nitride ion, it gains three electrons to form a #"3-"# ion: #"N"^(3-)#. In ionic compounds, the charges of constituent ions must balance. This can be achieved by having three sodium ions per nitride ion. Therefore, the formula of sodium nitride is #"Na"_3"N"#. However, #"Na"_3"N"# is extremely unstable. read more

Sodium nitride (Na 3 N) is the inorganic compound with the formula Na 3 N. In contrast to lithium nitride and some other nitrides, sodium nitride is an extremely unstable alkali metal nitride. It can be generated by combining atomic beams of sodium and nitrogen deposited onto a low-temperature sapphire substrate. read more