Azides of Manganese

Of the five oxidation states of manganese, only Mn(II) forms azides. The normal azide, Mn(N3)2, consists of white, sandy crystals which are chemically and explosively not very stable thus, exposure to the atmosphere causes a brown discoloration (oxidation to Mn02), and the compound explodes above 218°C and is sensitive to impact and friction [54,115,143]. The azide is not easy to make, as dissolving manganous carbonate in hydrazoic acid yields basic products [62,135]. Reaction of the dry carbonate with ethereal hydrazoic acid is impractically slow, but the latter yields Mn(N3)2 when shaken with basic manganese azide for three days [54]. 

Basic manganese azide, that is to say a white to brownish solid of the approximate composition (OH)Mn(N3), is obtained from aqueous solutions by precipitation with alcohol [135]. The solid explodes in a flame but is not sensitive to mechanical shock. 

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