Neodymium(III) nitride explained

Neodymium(III) nitride is a chemical compound of neodymium and nitrogen with the formula NdN in which neodymium exhibits the +3 oxidation state and nitrogen exhibits the -3 oxidation state. It is ferromagnetic, like gadolinium(III) nitride, terbium(III) nitride and dysprosium(III) nitride.^[1] Neodymium(III) nitride is not usually stoichiometric, and it is very hard to create pure stoichiometric neodymium nitride.^[2]

Preparation

Neodymium(III) nitride can be prepared via an exothermic metathesis reaction between lithium nitride and anhydrous neodymium(III) chloride. Lithium chloride formed in the reaction can be removed by THF, a chemical in which lithium chloride dissolves.^[3]

NdCl₃ + Li₃N → NdN + 3 LiCl

It can also be prepared directly when neodymium reacts directly with nitrogen:

2 Nd + N₂ → 2 NdN

It can be prepared when decomposing neodymium amide:

Nd(NH₂)₃ → NdN + N₂ + 3H₂

It can also be produced when neodymium is ignited in air (which contains nitrogen),^[4] but this also produces other compounds, such as neodymium oxide.

See also

• Neodymium
• Nitrogen
• Lanthanide

Notes and References

1. Book: Temmerman, W. M. . K. A. . Gschneider Jr. . Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths vol 39. 100–110 . 2009. Chapter 241: The Dual, Localized or Band‐Like, Character of the 4f‐States. Elsevier. 978-0-444-53221-3 .
2. Nasirpouri, Farzad and Nogaret, Alain (eds.) (2011) Nanomagnetism and Spintronics: Fabrication, Materials, Characterization and Applications. World Scientific.
3. Fitzmaurice . J.C. . Hector . A. . Rowley . A.T. . Parkin . I.P. . Rapid, low energy synthesis of lanthanide nitrides . Polyhedron . Elsevier BV . 13 . 2 . 1994 . 0277-5387 . 10.1016/s0277-5387(00)86597-3 . 235–240.
4. Book: Cotton, Simon . 2006 . Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.