Cuprous nitride, Cu₃N

A dark olive-green substance containing 80 to 90 per cent, of cuprous nitride, Cu₃N, is produced by the action of dry ammonia on cuprous or cupric oxide at 250° to 260° C. It is decomposed by concentrated acids. Potassamide reacts with a solution of cupric nitrate in liquid ammonia to form an olive-green substance, Cu₃N,nNH₃, which at ordinary temperature in vacuum changes to dark-brown cuprous imide, Cu₂NH, and is converted by heating at 160° C. in vacuum into cuprous nitride. When heated in the air, the product formed explodes readily. It is a black, amorphous mass, decomposed by water with evolution of heat.