5656. Magnesium Amide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7803-54-5
Magnesium diamide.
H4MgN2; mol wt 56.35.
H 7.15%, Mg 43.13%, N 49.71%.
Mg(NH2)2.

Description and references

Prepd by the action of ammonia on an ether soln of magnesium diethyl or on magnesium activated with iodine (at 400°): Terentiew, Z. Anorg. Chem. 162, 351 (1927); Schlenk, Jr., Ber. 64, 738 (1931). Prepd from metal and liquid ammonia at high pressure: Juza, Jacobs, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 5, 247 (1966); eidem, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 370, 245 (1969).

Properties

White powder or crystals. d425 1.39. Catches fire in air. Dec on heating. Reacts violently with water, evolving ammonia.

Use

Polymerization catalyst.