How do you name the compound Ca_3N_2?

1 Answer
Oct 28, 2016

"Calcium nitride"

Explanation:

As a Group 2 metal, calcium commonly forms a Ca^(2+) ion.

Nitrogen, in exceptional cirecumstances, can form a N^(3-) ion.

When "calcium nitride" forms (for instance when calcium is heated under dinitrogen), the ionic solid must be electrostatically neutral, i.e. 3xxCa^(2+) + 2xxN^(3-) combine to give a neutral salt.