NITROGEN

n. Nit'ro-je"n. From vi-rpov, nitre (see nitrum), and yfvvav, to produce. Fr., azote. Ger., Sticks toff. Syn.: azote. A non-metallic element discovered by Priest ley in 1772. It was then called " mephitic air" and " phlogisticated air." Lavoisier pointed out its elementary character and called it azote; and Chaptal gave it its present name. It occurs in the free state in the atmosphere. Combined with carbon, it gives rise to the group of cyanogen compounds, and united with hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, it forms a constituent of the alkaloids, of nearly all the organic compounds found in the animal body (including the proteicis, albumins, and coloring principles), and of many inorganic substances. It is a colorle , odorle , and tastele gas, liqueflable under very great pre ure and at a low temperature. Sp. gr., 0'9713.. N. combines directly with only a few elements, the chief compounds of this cla (called nitrides) being ammonia and the oxides of n., and does not enter into combination energetically; hence it does not give rise to the phenomena of combustion, as oxygen does, and it is not inflammable itself. The compounds formed by its indirect union with many elements are very numerous and important. A ociated with hydrogen, it forms ammonia, and this is the starting-point of a vast number of derivatives called amides and a mines. A ociated with oxygen.it forms nitrous acid and nitric acid, and enters into the composition of the salts of these acids. The fact that in an atmosphere of n. the violet rays of the spectrum disappear before the blue and green has led to the supposition that n. is a compound body, and indications have been discovered of an active allotropic n., analogous to ozone. In composition, n. acts usually as a trivalent radicle, replacing 3 atoms of hydrogen. Often, however, it is quinquivalent and replaces 5 atoms of hydrogen. Symbol. N; atomic weight, 14'01. [B, 3; "Proc. of the Am. Pharm. A oc.," xiv, p. 168, xxx, p. 262 (a, 50).] Ethylated n. chloride. See DICH LOR ETHYLAMINE. N. benzide. Of Mitscherlich, azobenzene. [B, 3.] N. binoxide. See N. dioxide. N. bromide. Fr., bromure d'azote. A compound of n. and bromine, of uncertain composition; a dark-red oily liquid, very volatile, highly explosive, and having a powerful odor. [B, 3.] N. chloride. Fr., chlorure d'azote. Ger., Stickstoffchloriir. Syii.: azotan. A compound of n. and chlorine whose exact constitution is not known. It is a thin yellowish oily liquid, very volatile, and emitting acrid vapors of a peculiar pungent odor. It explodes very readily, and with great violence. [B, 3.] N. dioxide. Fr., dioxyde d'azote. Ger., Stickstoffoxyd. Nitric oxide; a colorle gas, NO, so called because in proportion to the amount of n. it contains twice as much oxygen as n. monoxide. In contact with air it exhales reddish vapors of n. tetroxide. It has been used in cholera. [B, 3: "Proc. of the Am. Pharm. A oc.." xxxiv, 481 (a, 50).] N. iodide. Fr., iodure d'azote. Ger., Stickstoffjodur. A black powder formed by the action of iodine on a solution of ammonia in water or alcohol. It decomposes readily, frequently (especially if exposed to bright light or when heated gradually to 58 C.) with explosive violence. Its composition appears to vary according to the method of its preparation, being either NI3 or NHI2. The former body combines with ammonia to form compounds NH3NI3 and NH3.4NI3. [B. 3; "Proc. of the Am. Pharm. A oc.," xxxvii, 509, xxiv. 208 (a, 50).] N. monoxide. Fr., monoxyde d'azote. Ger.,Stickstoffmonoxyd. Nitrous oxide, laughing gas; a colorle gas, N2O. of agreeable odor and sweetish taste. By the application of cold or of suitable pre ure it may be reduced to a liquid boiling at 87'9 C., and by still further reduction of temperature to a crystalline solid. When inhaled together with oxygen it produces an exhilarant and intoxicating effect; when inhaled by itself it produces complete anaesthesia, lasting, however, for a brief period only, and not always a ociated with lo of consciousne . It has been used in pulmonary affections, for general debility, etc., and is often used as an anaesthetic, especially in minor surgical operations. [B, 3; "Proc. of the Am. Pharm. A oc.," xii, 134 (a, 50).] N. oxide. Fr., oxyde d'azote. See ff. monoxide, N. dioxide, N. trioxide, N. tetroxide, and N. pentoxide. N. pentoxide. Nitric anhydride, anhydrous nitric acid; a white crystalline substance, N2O6. It is volatile and deliquescent, and is a powerful oxidizing agent. United with water, it forms nitric acid. |B, 2.] N. peroxide. See N. tetroxide. N. protoxide. Fr.,protnxyde d'azote. See N. monoxide. N. selenide. An orange colored substance, N2Se2. [B, 8.] N. sulphide. Fr., sulfure d'azote. Ger., Stickstoffxulfid. A substance, N2S2. occurring as a yellow powder, in yellowish-red crystals, which emit acrid vapors when heated, and melt at 158 C. It forms various double compounds with sulphur dichloride. [B, 3.] N. terhydride, N. terhydruret. Ammonia. [B, 98, 199.] N. tetroxide. A liquid which at temperatures below C. is colorle , but which above this point becomes yellow and gradually deepens in color till it attains a dark-orange hue. It boils at 22 C. giving off vapors of disagreeable odor and of reddish-brown color, but almost black when the temperature is raised still higher. The composition of liquid n. tetroxide is probably N2O4. while the gas consists of a mixture of this substance with another having the composition NO, the proportion of the latter constituent increasing as the tempi i ature is elevated. It is a powerful antiseptic. [B. 3.] N. trioxide. Fr., trioxyde. d'azote. A dark-blue liquid. N2O3. readily decomposing at ordinary temperatures and combining with water to form nitrous acid. [B, 3.] [s. 108]