Sodium azide
Sodium azide (NaN₃) is an ionic compound of sodium and azide ions. It is highly toxic and can decompose rapidly, releasing nitrogen gas.
Azide: An anion or functional group containing three nitrogen atoms, often written N₃⁻. The azide ion is the reactive anion in sodium azide and can release nitrogen gas on decomposition.
Automotive airbag inflator: A device that rapidly generates gas to inflate a vehicle airbag during a crash. Sodium azide was used as a gas-generating ingredient in older inflator designs.
Sodium ion: A positively charged sodium atom, Na⁺, formed by losing one electron. Sodium ions balance the negative charge of azide ions in the solid.
Acute toxicity: Harmful effects caused by a single exposure or short-term exposure to a substance. Sodium azide can cause severe poisoning through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.
Thermal decomposition: The breakdown of a substance caused by heat. Heating can trigger sodium azide to form sodium and nitrogen gas.
Organic azide: An organic compound containing an azide group, R–N₃. Sodium azide supplies azide ions for preparing some organic azides.
Polyatomic ion: A charged group of covalently bonded atoms that behaves as one ion. Azide is a polyatomic ion paired with sodium in this salt.
Chemical safety: Practices and systems for preventing harm during the handling, storage, and use of chemicals. Its toxicity and explosive decomposition demand strict controls in laboratories and industry.
Nitrogen gas: A colorless, odorless gas whose molecules contain two nitrogen atoms, N₂. Rapid production of nitrogen gas accounts for the compound’s historical role in inflating airbags.
Nucleophilic substitution: A reaction in which a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in a molecule. Azide ions can displace leaving groups to form carbon–nitrogen bonds.