Neptunium nitride

Neptunium nitride is a binary inorganic compound of neptunium and nitrogen with the chemical formula NpN.^[1][2]

Neptunium nitride

Names
Other names neptunium mononitride, azanylidyneneptunium, neptunium(III) nitride
Identifiers
CAS Number	12058-90-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/N.Np/q-3;+3 Key: CONMGCPYTMDXHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Np+3].[N-3]
Properties
Chemical formula	NNp
Molar mass	251 g·mol−1
Appearance	black crystals
Density	14.18 g/cm3
Melting point	2,557 °C (4,635 °F; 2,830 K)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation

Neptunium nitride can be prepared by the reaction of freshly obtained neptunium hydride and ammonia:^[3]

NpH₃ + NH₃ → NpN + 3H₂

The reaction of neptunium and nitrogen can also obtain neptunium nitride:

Np + N₂ → 2NpN

Physical properties

Neptunium nitride forms black crystals in the cubic system with Fm3m space group.^[4][5] It is insoluble in water^[6] and decomposes if heated.^[7]

2NpN → 2Np + N₂

Uses

Neptunium nitride is used as a target material for plutonium-238 production.^[8]

²³⁷
₉₃Np + n → ²³⁸
₉₃Np