Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Lithium nitride (Li3N) is an inorganic compound formed by lithium (a metal) and nitrogen. It's unique among stable nitrides because it's the only one that reacts with water and releases ammonia.
Related terms
Ionic Compound: A type of chemical compound made up of ions held together by ionic bonding. Example includes sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (Na) gives up one electron to chlorine (Cl) forming positively charged Na+ and negatively charged Cl- ions.
Ammonia (NH3): A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It's used in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives and polymers.
Hydrolysis: A chemical reaction in which water is used to break down a compound. This process can change the pH of a solution, like when lithium nitride reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide (a base) and ammonia.