Sodium amide (NaNH2) is a chemical compound. It consists of sodium and nitrogen atoms. It is used as a strong base in various chemical reactions.
| IUPAC Name | Sodium amide |
| Molecular Formula | NaNH2 |
| CAS Number | 7782-92-5 |
| Synonyms | Sodamide, Sodium azanide, Sodiumamide, Sodium nitride |
| InChI | InChI=1S/NaN2/c2-1-3/q-1 |
Sodium Amide Properties
Sodium Amide Formula
The formula of sodium amide is NaNH2. It consists of one sodium atom (Na), one hydrogen (H), and one nitrogen atom (N). This chemical formula represents the composition of sodium amide at the molecular level.
Sodium Amide Molar Mass
The molar mass of sodium azanide is calculated by adding the atomic masses of its constituent elements. Sodium has an atomic mass of 22.99 grams per mole (g/mol), and nitrogen has an atomic mass of 14.01 g/mol. Adding these values, we find that the molar mass of sodium azanide is approximately 39 g/mol.
Sodium Amide Boiling Point
The boiling point of sodium azanide is the temperature at which it changes from a liquid to a gas. Sodium azanide has a relatively high boiling point of around 850 degrees Celsius (°C). At this temperature, the intermolecular forces holding the sodium azanide molecules together are overcome, resulting in the conversion from a liquid to a gaseous state.
Sodium Amide Melting Point
The melting point of sodium azanide is the temperature at which it changes from a solid to a liquid. Sodium azanide has a relatively low melting point of approximately 210 degrees Celsius (°C). At this temperature, the crystal lattice structure of solid sodium azanide breaks down, allowing the particles to move freely, forming a liquid.
Sodium Amide Density g/mL
The density of sodium azanide is a measure of its mass per unit volume. The density of sodium azanide is approximately 1.39 grams per milliliter (g/mL). This value indicates that sodium azanide is a relatively dense substance.
Sodium Amide Molecular Weight
The molecular weight of sodium azanide is the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in its chemical formula. The molecular weight of sodium azanide is approximately 39 grams per mole (g/mol).
Sodium Amide Structure
The structure of sodium azanide consists of a sodium atom (Na) bonded to two nitrogen atoms (N). The nitrogen atoms form a linear arrangement with the sodium atom in the middle, resulting in a linear molecular structure.
Sodium Amide Solubility
Sodium azanide is sparingly soluble in water. It reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and ammonia (NH3). However, it is soluble in certain organic solvents such as liquid ammonia and liquid alcohols. The solubility of sodium azanide in these solvents allows for its use in various chemical reactions.
| Appearance | White solid |
| Specific Gravity | 1.39 g/mL |
| Color | White |
| Odor | Ammonia-like |
| Molar Mass | 39 g/mol |
| Density | 1.39 g/mL |
| Melting Point | 210 °C |
| Boiling Point | 850 °C |
| Flash Point | Not applicable |
| Water Solubility | Reacts |
| Solubility | Soluble in organic solvents such as liquid ammonia and liquid alcohols |
| Vapour Pressure | Not applicable |
| Vapour Density | Not applicable |
| pKa | Not applicable |
| pH | Alkaline (above 7) |
Sodium Amide Safety and Hazards
Sodium azanide poses certain safety risks and hazards that need to be taken into consideration. It reacts violently with water, releasing toxic ammonia gas and corrosive sodium hydroxide. Therefore, it should be handled with extreme caution to avoid contact with moisture or water. Sodium azanide is also a strong base, which can cause severe burns and eye damage upon contact with skin or eyes. Inhalation of its dust or fumes may irritate the respiratory system. It is advisable to wear appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and a respirator, when working with sodium azanide. Proper ventilation and storage away from incompatible substances are essential safety measures.
| Hazard Symbols | Corrosive, Harmful, Toxic |
| Safety Description | Handle with extreme caution. Avoid contact with water/moisture. Wear protective equipment. Proper ventilation and storage required. |
| UN IDs | UN 1410 |
| HS Code | 28500020 |
| Hazard Class | 4.3 (Dangerous when wet), 6.1 (Toxic), 8 (Corrosive) |
| Packing Group | II |
| Toxicity | Toxic upon ingestion, inhalation, or skin/eye contact |
Sodium Amide Synthesis Methods
Various methods can synthesize sodium azanide.
One common method is the reaction between sodium metal and gaseous ammonia (NH3). In this process, sodium metal reacts with ammonia gas under controlled conditions to produce sodium azanide. The reaction typically takes place in a reactor vessel equipped with proper safety measures.
Another method involves the reaction between sodium hydride (NaH) and gaseous ammonia. Sodium hydride, a solid compound, reacts with ammonia gas to yield sodium azanide and hydrogen gas. Inert atmospheres are often used to carry out this reaction in order to prevent unwanted side reactions.
Furthermore, the reaction between sodium metal and liquid ammonia allows for the preparation of sodium azanide. This method involves dissolving sodium metal in liquid ammonia, resulting in the formation of sodium azanide and hydrogen gas.
To synthesize sodium azanide, sodium azide (NaN3) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The reaction between these two compounds produces sodium azanide along with the release of nitrogen gas.
It is worth noting that these synthesis methods require expertise and proper safety precautions due to the reactivity and hazards associated with sodium azanide.
Sodium Amide Uses
Sodium azanide finds applications in various fields due to its unique properties. Here are some of its uses:
- Strong Base in Organic Chemistry Reactions: Sodium azanide deprotonates weak acids, facilitating the synthesis of various organic compounds.
- Nitrogen Source in Reactions: Sodium azanide introduces nitrogen atoms into organic molecules, playing a crucial role in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and polymers.
- Dehydrohalogenation: Sodium azanide removes hydrogen halides from organic compounds in dehydrohalogenation reactions. This process aids in the preparation of alkenes, alkynes, and other unsaturated compounds.
- Ring-Opening Reactions: Sodium azanide participates in ring-opening reactions of cyclic compounds, such as the Gabriel synthesis, converting cyclic amines into primary amines.
- Desulfurization: Sodium azanide can remove sulfur atoms from organic compounds, enabling desulfurization reactions. This is useful in the production of sulfur-free fuels and in reducing the environmental impact of sulfur-containing compounds.
- Hydrogen storage: Researchers have investigated the potential use of sodium azanide in hydrogen storage systems. It can react with hydrogen gas, forming sodium hydride, which can later release hydrogen upon heating.
- Catalyst support: Sodium azanide can act as catalyst support, enhancing the performance of certain catalytic reactions. It provides stability and improves the efficiency of catalysts in various chemical transformations.
Overall, sodium azanide’s versatile properties make it a valuable compound in organic synthesis, nitrogen chemistry, and other industrial applications.
Questions:
Q: What does NaNH2 do?
A: NaNH2 is a strong base commonly used in organic chemistry reactions to deprotonate weak acids and facilitate various transformations.
Q: What is NaNH2?
A: NaNH2 is sodium amide, a chemical compound consisting of sodium (Na) and azanide (NH2) ions, often used as a reagent and strong base in organic synthesis.
Q: What does excess NaNH2 do?
A: Excess NaNH2 can lead to further deprotonation of acidic hydrogen atoms in a reaction, increasing the extent of deprotonation and potentially altering the reaction outcome.
Q: What does NaNH2 do to an alkene?
A: NaNH2 can abstract a hydrogen atom from an alkene, resulting in the formation of an alkane and a sodium alkoxide compound.
Q: What does NaNH2 do to bromobenzene?
A: NaNH2 can replace the bromine atom in bromobenzene through a nucleophilic substitution reaction, resulting in the formation of sodium phenylamine.
Q: Is NaNH2 a strong base?
A: Yes, NaNH2 is a strong base capable of accepting protons and deprotonating weak acids due to the presence of the amide ion.
Q: What reaction will take place if H2O is added to a mixture of NaNH2/NH3?
A: Adding H2O to a mixture of NaNH2/NH3 results in the generation of ammonia gas (NH3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) due to the reaction between water and the strong base NaNH2.
Q: Which intermediate is involved in this reaction: NaNH2 + liquid NH3?
A: The intermediate involved in the reaction of NaNH2 with liquid NH3 is a solvated electron, which is formed by the donation of an electron from sodium to ammonia.
Q: Is NaNH2 a good nucleophile?
A: Yes, NaNH2 can act as a good nucleophile due to its ability to donate an electron pair and participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions.
Q: Is NaNH2 ionic or covalent?
A: NaNH2 is an ionic compound, consisting of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged amide ions (NH2-).
Q: Will 2-hexyne react with sodium amide?
A: Yes, 2-hexyne can undergo a reaction with sodium amide, resulting in the formation of sodium acetylide and the corresponding alkyne compound.
Q: Which is the stronger base among sodium amide and sodium phenoxide?
A: Sodium azanide is the stronger base compared to sodium phenoxide due to the greater basicity of the amide ion (NH2-) as compared to the phenoxide ion (C6H5O-).