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. Neodymium(III) nitride is not usually stoichiometric, and it is very hard to create pure stoichiometric neodymium nitride.Nasirpouri, Farzad and Nogaret, Alain (eds.) (2011) Nanomagnetism and Spintronics: Fabrication, Materials, Characterization and Applications. World Scientific.
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. 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), but this also produces other compounds, such as neodymium oxide.
See also
Lanthanide
References