Nitrous oxide reaction with ammonia

Amide Sodamide, sodamine, NaNH , white solid, formed by reaction of sodium metal and dry NH3 gas at 350°C, or by solution of the metal in liquid ammonia, Reacts with carbon upon heating, to form sodium cyanide, and with nitrous oxide to form sodium azide, NaN3. 

Water is also included in the table to make one point— the solvent that we are all most familiar with is a poor candidate from both engineering and safety standpoint. The critical temperature and pressure are among the highest for common solvents. Ammonia is very unpleasant to work with since a fume hood or other venting precautions are needed to keep it out of the laboratory atmosphere. One of the alternative fluids of potential interest is nitrous oxide. It is attractive since it has molecular weight and critical parameters similar to carbon dioxide, yet has a permanent dipole moment and is a better solvent than carbon dioxide for many solutes. There are evidences of violent explosive reactions of nitrous oxide in contact with oils and fats. For this reason, nitrous oxide should be used with great care and is not suitable as a general purpose extraction fluid. 

The suspension of sodamide in liquid ammonia can readily react with nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide kept in steel bottles under pressure is introduced into the autoclave under 25 kg/cm maintaining the reaction temperature of 50 C. 

Ttie reaction is carried out in a horizontal heated electrical apparatus made of steel. Before starting the reaction it should be thoroughly dried by warming to 170—200 C. To check the tightness of the apparatus ammonia is blown through for 5-10 min. Hot melted sodamide (3S0 C) is poured from the amide apparatus. Tlte reaction of sodamide with nitrous oxide is exothermic and there is little need of heating the reactor. The best temperature of the reaction is 200-220 C. At 250 C the reaction is too fast and may lead to an explosion. To achieve the uniformity of the reaction nitrous oxide is introduced into both ends of the reactor. 

BENZENEDIOL (108-46-3) Combustible solid (flash point 261°F/127°C cc). Dust or powder forms explosive mixture with air. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, nitric acid. Incompatible with acetanilide, alkalis, ammonia, amino compounds, antipyrine, camphor, ferric salts, lead diacetate, menthol, spirit nitrous ether, urethane. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its dust. 

CARBAMIDE, CARBAMIDE ACID or CARBAMIDE RESIN (57-13-6) Heat or contact with hot surfaces forms anhydrous ammonia and nitrous vapors. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, chlorine, inorganic chlorides, chlorites, chromyl chloride, dichromates. 

---