Thorium Nitride Oxides

The various thorium(IV) amides and imides are readily hydrolysed [1 to 3]. 

Amorphous Th(NH)2 decomposes at 130°C in a stream of Ng to amorphous Th3N4 [1]. In contrast, Blunck, Juza [2] found that their preparation decomposes at 100 to 330°C by the reaction 2Th(NH)2- Th2N2(NH) + NH3. The yellow compound reacts explosively with water. In air it decomposes rapidly to a white substance (Th02) [2]. 

Th(NH)(NH2)2 is a white, amorphous, pyrophoric powder [1]. The thermal decomposition is mentioned above (p. 60). 

Naoumidis, A. Kernforschungsanlage Julich Julich, Federal Republic of Germany 

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Kusakabe, T., Imoto, S., Thermal decomposition of thorium nitride and dithorium dinitrogen oxide, Technology Reports of Osaka University, Report 22, (1972). Cited on pages 310,313,535. 

Although some of these saltlike nitrides have high melting points (for instance, thorium nitride 2820"C uranium nitride 2800°C plutonium nitride 2550 beryllium nitride 2200 C barium nitride 2200"C), they are sensitive to hydrolysis and react readily with water or moisture to give ammonia and the corresponding metal oxide or hydroxide. Consequently, they do not meet the refractory requirements as interpreted here. Some of these nitrides are useful industrial materials particularly as sintering additives for the production of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and cubic boron nitride (see Ch. 14). 

Nuclear Applications. Use of the nitrides of uranium-235 and thorium as fuels and breeders in high temperature reactors has been proposed (see Nuclearreactors). However, the compounds most frequently used for this purpose are the oxides and carbides. Nitrides could be useful in high... 

Tetraamminelithium dihydrogenphosphide, 4590 Thorium dicarbide, 1023 Titanium carbide, 0558 Trimercury tetraphosphide, 4611 Tungsten carbide, 0560 Uranium carbide, 0559 Uranium dicarbide, 1024 Zinc phosphide, 4870 Zirconium dicarbide, 1025 METAL ACETYLIDES N-METAL DERIVATIVES METAL HYDRIDES METAL OXIDES METAL SULFIDES NITRIDES... 

Molten-Tin Process for Reactor Fuels (16). Liquid tin is being evaluated as a reaction medium for the processing of thorium- and uranium-based oxide, carbide, and metal fuels. The process is based on the carbothermic reduction of UO2 > nitriding of uranium and fission product elements, and a mechanical separation of the actinide nitrides from the molten tin. Volatile fission products can be removed during the head-end steps and by distilling off a small portion of the tin. The heavier actinide nitrides are expected to sink to the bottom of the tin bath. Lighter fission product nitrides should float to the top. Other fission products may remain in solution or form compounds with... 

Testing explosives, 103, 111 Thiocyanates, 82 Thorium oxide, catalytic, 13, 29 Titanium nitride, 58 Tolite, 102 Tonite, 113 Torpedoes, 96 Trace tests, in... 

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