Nitrogen tribromide is a chemical compound with the formula NBr₃. It is extremely explosive in its pure form, even at −100 °C, and was not isolated until 1975. It is a deep-red and volatile solid.

Preparation

NBr₃ was first prepared by reaction of bistrimethylsilylbromamine (

bis(trimethylsilyl)amine Bis(trimethylsilyl)amine (also known as hexamethyldisilazane and HMDS) is an organosilicon compound with the molecular formula CH3)3Sisub>2NH. The molecule is a derivative of ammonia with trimethylsilyl groups in place of two hydrogen atoms. An e ...

bromide) with bromine monochloride (with trimethylsilyl chloride as byproduct) at −87 °C according to the following equation: :(Me₃Si)₂NBr + 2 BrCl → NBr₃ + 2 where "Me" is a methyl group.

Reactions

Nitrogen tribromide reacts instantly with

ammonia Ammonia is an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . A stable binary hydride, and the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinct pungent smell. Biologically, it is a common nitrogenous was ...

dichloromethane Dichloromethane (DCM or methylene chloride, methylene bichloride) is an organochlorine compound with the formula . This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odour is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with ...

solution at −87 °C to yield NBrH₂. :NBr₃ + 2 NH₃ → 3 NH₂Br It also reacts with

iodine Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid at standard conditions that melts to form a deep violet liquid at , and boils to a vi ...

solution at −87 °C to produce NBr₂I, which is a red-brown solid that stable up to -20 °C. :NBr₃ + I₂ → NBr₂I + IBr

References

{{Nitrides Inorganic amines Bromides Nitrogen halides Substances discovered in the 1970s Bromine(I) compounds