The chemistry of ternary and higher lithium nitrides

► Lithium ternary and higher nitrides are now numerous and can be classified in terms of well-defined structure types. ► The crystal chemistry of the lithium nitrides is dominated by two principal structures; anti-fluorite and α-Li3N type. ► The important properties of the lithium nitrides are centred around three core phenomena: semiconductivity, lithium ion conductivity and hydrogen storage. ► Each property can be rationalised in terms of stoichiometry and structure and potentially manipulated accordingly.