Difference between revisions of "Nitrogen triiodide"

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Nitrogen triiodide

Touch powder just before and after an explosion, from youtu.be/f3FijQX4hDw
Names
IUPAC name Triiodoamine
Other names Ammonia triiodide Exploding paste Nitrogen iodide Triiodamine Triiodine mononitride Triiodine nitride
Properties
Chemical formula	NI3
Molar mass	394.719 g/mol
Appearance	Dark red or brown solid
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	Decomposes
Boiling point	Decomposes (sublimation begins at −20 °C)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Soluble in diethyl ether Insoluble in hydrocarbons
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	264 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	None
Flash point	None
Related compounds
Related compounds	Nitrogen trichloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Nitrogen triiodide (NI₃) is a touch sensitive explosive often shown in chemistry demonstrations where it is exploded by the touch of a feather. For this reason, it is also known as "touch powder".

Properties

Chemical

Originally nitrogen triiodide was prepared by reacting boron nitride with iodine monofluoride in trichlorofluoromethane at −30 °C:

BN + 3 IF → NI₃ + BF₃

Chemical reactions with nitrogen triiodide are not done due to its instability.

Physical

Nitrogen triiodide is a dark purple, that can be almost brown or black much the same color as iodine, insoluble in water.

Explosive

It is a super sensitive explosive once completely dry, yet not so when wet. This is because when wet, there are ammonia molecules in the structure of the compound, which helps to stabilize it. When the NI₃ dries, these ammonia molecules evaporate so the NI₃ structure is left very unstable, needing only the slightest amount of energy from friction or heat to turn into nitrogen and iodine vapor.

NI₃ explodes with a loud cracking a cloud of bright purple smoke is produced. It is not a very powerful detonation, but a very pretty one and the violence of its explosion is often surprising when done from a very light touch.

Availability

NI₃ must be made, and quite often, the iodine crystals need to be made first due to the difficulty and expense of buying pure iodine.

Preparation

Ground iodine is placed into an excess of ammonia solution. The iodine will not dissolve a large amount but the suspension is left to sit before filtering (the time varies between who you ask, but an hour is usually more than enough time for 20 or so grams). The ammonia solution turns a shade of brown.

The solid is usually not transported but the filter paper is moved to the final position where it is left to be dried in the air. It can be hard to tell when it is completely dry by appearance alone but a light tap with a long stick will detonate it if it is dry. There are many Youtube tutorials on this process.

Handling

Safety

One must assume NI₃ contains a reasonable amount of elemental iodine as a impurity, due to the method it is created by. So all safety risks that apply to iodine, also apply to this chemical compound.

Skin contact with the wet or dry solid will lead to long lasting unsightly brown stains to your skin. Sodium thiosulfate can be used to clean the stains.

This chemical carries all the risks associated with sensitive explosives, but due to the explosion creating iodine vapor, carries the risks of the corrosive and somewhat toxic element too. While not a danger in an outside, windy environment, touch powder will quickly erode steel if exploded over it, as well as staining many surfaces like concrete and wood, due to the iodine.

The sensitivity of NI₃ once dry cannot be overstated.

Storage

Nitrogen triiodide should NEVER be stored! Although it is somewhat stable as a solution in diethyl ether, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Disposal

Dry NI₃ is completely destroyed during detonation. This however produces a cloud of iodine vapor, which is toxic and highly corrosive. This is best done outside or in a fume hood. Although most literature claims NI₃ and leftovers can be flushed down the drain, it's best to add an aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate to neutralize them, as iodine is corrosive to the plumbing.

Leftover NI₃ in the synthesis beaker can also be neutralized by adding ethanol, before disposal.^[1]

References

1. ↑ Shakhashiri, Bassam Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry (1983), Volume 1, pag 98

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Nitrogen Triiodide (simple set-up)