Praseodymium(III) nitride

Praseodymium(III) nitride is a binary inorganic compound of praseodymium and nitrogen. Its chemical formula is. The compound forms black crystals, and reacts with water.

Preparation
Praseodymium(III) nitride can be prepared by the reaction of nitrogen and metallic praseodymium on heating:


 * 2 Pr + N2 -> 2 PrN

It can also be prepared from the reaction of ammonia and praseodymium metal on heating:


 * 2 Pr + 2 NH3 -> 2 PrN + 3 H2

Properties
Praseodymium(III) nitride forms black crystals of a cubic system. The space group is Fm3m, with cell parameter a = 0.5165 nm, Z = 4, its structure similar to that of sodium chloride (NaCl).

The compound is readily hydrolyzed with water and reacts with acids.

Applications
The compound is used in high-end electric and semiconductor products, and as a raw material to produce phosphor. Also it is used as a magnetic material and sputtering target material.