Physical and chemical properties
Rubidium azide is an inorganic compound, a type of azide compound, with the molecular formula RbN3 = 127.49. Colorless needle-like or flaky crystals. It is readily soluble in water, soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in ether. The crystal structure of rubidium azide is tetragonal, with the space group I4/mcm. The lattice parameters are a=630.8pm and C=753.7pm. Each unit cell has 4 units, which is similar to that of lithium azide, sodium azide and potassium azide. When the temperature is heated to 310°C, rubidium azide will decompose, releasing not only 60% of the elemental rubidium but also rubidium nitride. However, it won't explode. The preparation method of 2RbN3→2Rb+3N2 and 2RBN3 →Rb3N+4N2: It can be prepared through the metadecomposition reaction of rubidium carbonate and sodium azide: RbCO3+NaN3→RbN3+NaCO3. Rubidium azide will discharge under the influence of nitrogen to form rubidium nitride.
Production method
The preparation method is: Rb2CO3+2HN3→2RbN3+H2O+CO2. In a water solution containing 2.3g of rubidium carbonate, if a slightly excessive amount of azide acid water solution is added. After the reaction is completed, evaporate on the water bath until crystallization begins. Cool and crystallize under stirring, filter by suction, wash with a small amount of water, dry the obtained crystals in an oven at 80℃, and store them in a P2O5 desiccator for future use.
