Tellurium nitrides

Tellurium Nitride. TeUurium nitride [12164-01 -0] Te N is an unstable, citron-yeUow soHd that detonates easUy when heated or stmck, but it can be kept under dry chloroform. It is said to explode on contact with water, possibly because of the heat of wetting. 

Tellurium nitride was first obtained by the reaction of TeBt4 with liquid ammonia more than 100 years ago. The empirical formula TeN was assigned to this yellow, highly insoluble and explosive substance. However, subsequent analytical data indicated the composition is Tc3N4 which, in contrast to 5.6a and 5.6b, would involve tetravalent tellurium. This conclusion is supported by the recent preparation and structural determination of Te6N8(TeCl4)4 from tellurium tetrachloride and tris(trimethylsilyl)amine (Eq. 5.5). The TceNs molecule (5.12), which is a dimer of Tc3N4, forms a rhombic dodecahedron in which the... 

Tellurium Nitride. Te3N4, mw 438.87, N 9.58%, yellow amorph powd, mp (explds above 200° or when quickly heated). Decompd by w (under vac the heat of soln causes deton). Insol in aq ammonia dil acet ac. Prepd by reacting gaseous ammonia with TeCl4 at —15° Te3N4 is unaffected by heating to 150°. 

Interaction with liquid ammonia at — 15°C forms tellurium nitride ( ), which explodes at 200°C. 

Tellurium nitride is obtained by the reaction of TeBr4 with liquid ammonia. Analytical data indicated the composition is Te3N4 rather than Te4N4. This... 

Pyrosulphuryl chloride, sulphuryl chloride, thionyl chloride and sulphur monochloride all convert tellurium into the tetrachloride, the reaction proceeding most readily with the last named. In the case of thionyl chloride and sulphur monochloride the product is tellurium dichloride if the tellurium is present in excess.3 With pyrosulphuryl chloride the compound formed is TeCl4.SOs when this is acted upon by dry ammonia the product contains tellurium nitride.4... 

Tellurium Nitride.—The formation of this compound has already been mentioned (see p. 375). It is obtained when anhydrous liquid ammonia reacts in the cold with a tetrahalide of tellurium. It is deep yellow in colour, amorphous, and when dry extremely explosive. Its composition has not been determined with certainty, but its empirical formula is probably TeN or Te3N4. 

Tellurium and Nitrogen —Tellurium Nitride, Tellurium Nitrite, Basie Tellurium Nitrate. 

For sulphur nitride, see nitrogen sulphide for selenium, nitride, see nitrogen selenide and for tellurium nitride, see nitrogen telluride. J. von Liebig 26 obtained a brown powder by igniting chromium chloride in ammonia, and he thought the product was elemental chromium. A. Schrotter showed that the product is chromium nitride, Cr2N2 or CrN. 

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