On reactions between alkali metals and active nitrogen

Attempts to investigate reactions between alkali metals and discharge-activated nitrogen spanning more than a century are reviewed. Recent results are presented for the Na–N and K–N binary as well as for Na–K–N, Na–Cs–N, and Na–Hg–N ternary systems. The electronic structure of cubic sodium nitride Na3N is discussed with regard to its chemical and physical properties.

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