Methyl azide
Encyclopedia
Methyl azide CH3N3, is a covalent molecule related to hydrazoic acid
and other alkyl azides. Methyl azide is a linear molecule. In resonance
the central nitrogen is clearly linear (two electron groups), but the nitrogen bonded to H3C, has three electron groups in H3C-N=N+=N- ⇔ H3C-N--N+≡N .
It can be prepared by a methylation
of sodium azide
. The first synthesis was reported in 1905.
It decomposes in a first-order reaction CH3N3 → CH3N + N2
Methyl azide might be a potential precursor in the synthesis of prebiotic molecules via nonequilibrium reactions on interstellar ice
s initiated by energetic galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and photons.
increases the sensitivity to shock and spark. Incompatible with (dimethyl malonate
+ sodium methylate); mercury; methanol
; sodium azide; dimethyl sulfate
; sodium hydroxide; hydrogen azide. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.
Hydrazoic acid
Hydrazoic acid, also known as hydrogen azide or azoimide, is a colorless, volatile, and extremely explosive liquid at room temperature and pressure. It is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, having chemical formula HN3. It was first isolated in 1890 by Theodor Curtius...
and other alkyl azides. Methyl azide is a linear molecule. In resonance
Resonance (chemistry)
In chemistry, resonance or mesomerism is a way of describing delocalized electrons within certain molecules or polyatomic ions where the bonding cannot be expressed by one single Lewis formula...
the central nitrogen is clearly linear (two electron groups), but the nitrogen bonded to H3C, has three electron groups in H3C-N=N+=N- ⇔ H3C-N--N+≡N .
It can be prepared by a methylation
Methylation
In the chemical sciences, methylation denotes the addition of a methyl group to a substrate or the substitution of an atom or group by a methyl group. Methylation is a form of alkylation with, to be specific, a methyl group, rather than a larger carbon chain, replacing a hydrogen atom...
of sodium azide
Sodium azide
Sodium azide is the inorganic compound with the formula NaN3. This colourless azide salt is the gas-forming component in many car airbag systems. It is used for the preparation of other azide compounds. It is an ionic substance and is highly soluble in water. It is extremely...
. The first synthesis was reported in 1905.
It decomposes in a first-order reaction CH3N3 → CH3N + N2
Methyl azide might be a potential precursor in the synthesis of prebiotic molecules via nonequilibrium reactions on interstellar ice
Interstellar ice
Interstellar ice consists of grains of volatiles in the ice phase that form in the interstellar medium. Ice and dust grains form the primary material out of which the Solar System was formed. Grains of ice are found in molecular clouds, where new stars are formed. These ices are dominated by water,...
s initiated by energetic galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and photons.
Safety Precautions
Methyl azide is stable at ambient temperature but may explode when heated. Presence of mercuryMercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
increases the sensitivity to shock and spark. Incompatible with (dimethyl malonate
Dimethyl malonate
Dimethyl malonate is a diester derivative of malonic acid. It is a common reagent for organic synthesis. It is used in the malonic ester synthesis....
+ sodium methylate); mercury; methanol
Methanol
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
; sodium azide; dimethyl sulfate
Dimethyl sulfate
Dimethyl sulfate is a chemical compound with formula 2SO2. As the diester of methanol and sulfuric acid, its formula is often written as 2SO4 or even Me2SO4, where CH3 or Me is methyl...
; sodium hydroxide; hydrogen azide. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.