Decomposition of the Inorganic Cyanamides

Journal Article · Tue Feb 25 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1964.0037· OSTI ID:4041526

Sole, M. J.; Yoffe, A. D.

A detailed study was made of the thermal decomposition of silver cyanamide crystals and powder, and also on the effect of pre-irradiation with gamma rays, neutrons, and fission fragments. The decomposition is a complex process, and involves the formation of an intermediate. The physical properties and decomposition behavior of silver cyanamide show that it is a covalert solid, and it is suggested that the initial step in the decomposition involves bond rupture (possibly the silver-nitrogen bond), the energy required being ca. 44 kcal/mole. The decomposition of sodium cyanamide, thallous cyanamide, and lead cyanamide was examined in outline. Where possible, infrared analysis, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy and diffraction, were used to supplement kinetic measurements. In many respects the decomposition of sodium cyanamide resembles that of sodium azide. Colors are produced within the solid, and the decomposition is dependent on impurities produced by hydrolysis, mainly at the surface. The basic mechanism, however, involves electron transfer, where two adjacert cyanamide ions react probably via an excited state. With lead cyanamide, it is found that cyanogen is given off preferertially. Lead cyanamide is also a covalert solid and bond fission occurs during decomposition. It is suggested that the first step is rupture of the weakest N--C bond. The differences in behavior of the silver, thallium, and lead salts can be understood in terms of the nature of the bonding orbitals between the metal atom and the cyanamide radical.

• Research Organization: Cavendish Lab., Cambridge, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-017913
• OSTI ID: 4041526
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Journal Name: Proceedings of the Royal Society. A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Journal Issue: 1371 Vol. 277; ISSN 1364-5021
• Publisher: The Royal Society Publishing
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ABSORPTION
AMIDES
ATOMS
BEAMS
BINDING ENERGY
COLOR
CONFIGURATION
CYANIDES
DECOMPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRONS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITATION
FISSION PRODUCTS
GAMMA RADIATION
HYDROLYSIS
IMPURITIES
INFRARED RADIATION
IONIZATION
IONS
IRRADIATION
LEAD COMPOUNDS
METALS
MOLECULES
NEUTRON BEAMS
OSCILLATIONS
PYROLYSIS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIOLYSIS
SILVER COMPOUNDS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM NITRIDES
SOLIDS
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACES
TABLES
THALLIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSPORT THEORY
VALENCE
X RADIATION