Nitrogen trichloride

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Nitrogen trichloride
Nitrogen trichloride.png
Droplets of nitrogen trichloride forming along with other chloramine gases on a block of TCCA under ammonia
Names
IUPAC name
Nitrogen trichloride
Other names
Agene
Nitrogen(III) chloride
Trichlorine nitride
Trichloramine
Trichloroazane
Properties
NCl3
Molar mass 120.365 g/mol
Appearance Yellow oily liquid
Odor Chlorine-like
Density 1.653 g/cm3
Melting point −40 °C (−40 °F; 233 K)
Boiling point 71 °C (160 °F; 344 K)
Immiscible, hydrolyzes
Solubility Soluble in benzene, chloroform, carbon disulfide, CCl4, ethanol, PCl3, sulfur dichloride
Vapor pressure 150 mmHg (at 20 °C)
Thermochemistry
232 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet None
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds
Nitrogen trifluoride
Nitrogen tribromide
Nitrogen triiodide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Nitrogen trichloride (NCl3), sometimes called trichloramine, is a dangerously unstable liquid explosive with a reputation for detonating unexpectedly. It is important to know of its existence, as it can sometimes form accidentally.

Properties

Chemical

Nitrogen trichloride is only able to exist in basic conditions. Its formation and stability is very pH sensitive, lowering the ease at which a synthesis is reproduced.

It is hydrolyzed by hot water to release ammonia and hypochlorous acid.

NCl3 + 3 H2O → NH3 + 3 HOCl

Physical

Nitrogen trichloride has a strong, unpleasant smell. It is a sickly yellow colored, viscous oil forming in droplets that sink in water.

Explosive

Nitrogen trichloride is know to explode spontaneously.

Availability

Transport of this explosive is not possible, so the liquid must be prepared on site.

Preparation

Many preparations of this compound are known, often with very basic lab chemicals. However, repeatability seems to be an issue, with different methods failing different people.

Chlorine gas acting upon an ammonium salt, such as the nitrate, chloride or sulfate (the sulfate perhaps being the preferred of the three) is said produce droplets of the liquid.

Electrolysis of ammonium chloride solutions can create NCl3.

Contact between solutions of ammonia and TCCA produces chloroamines, which depending on the concentrations and length of time left in contact, trichloramine can form.

The production danger of the explosive is dramatically increased as nitrogen trichloride is destroyed on contact with plastic (quite possibly dramatically) so an all glass setup must be used. This increases the danger from accidental detonations, as thick glass can shatter and produce deadly shrapnel.

Handling

Safety

Due to its ability to unexpectedly form from the interaction between common lab chemicals, it can be made accidentally in very simple experiments. It is therefore important to be able to recognize the substance if it forms and to be able to safely neutralize it.

Intentional production should only be done on the very small scale. The power of the explosive is often much above what one expects from a certain volume. The oil does not need to dry before becoming explosive, so droplets can detonate underwater, shattering the container it is in.

Contact with even traces of organic materials can cause a detonation, as well as sunlight, heat, shock and flame.

Storage

The substance should not be stored due to risk of detonation. Even without detonating, the substance will decompose at standard conditions.

Disposal

Hot water, and eventually warm water, hydrolyzes the explosive.

If the trichloride is underwater, the solution can slowly be made acidic to destroy the oil.

Nitrogen trichloride left out in sunlight will decompose.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads