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calcium cyanamide

 
Dictionary: calcium cyanamide
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n.
A gray-black compound, CaCN2, used as a fertilizer and weed killer.


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Chemistry Dictionary: calcium cyanamide
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A colourless solid, CaCN2, which sublimes at 1300°C. It is prepared by heating calcium dicarbide at 800°C in a stream of nitrogen:

CaC2(s)+N2(g) → CaCN2(s)+C(s)
The reaction has been used as a method of fixing nitrogen in countries in which cheap electricity is available to make the calcium dicarbide (the cyanamide process). Calcium cyanamide can be used as a fertilizer because it reacts with water to give ammonia and calcium carbonate:
CaCN2(s)+3H2O(l) → CaCO3(s)+2NH3(g)
It is also used in the production of melamine, urea, and certain cyanide salts.


Word Tutor: calcium-cyanamide
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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: n. - A compound used as a fertilizer and as a source of nitrogen compounds.

WordNet: calcium-cyanamide
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a compound used as a fertilizer and as a source of nitrogen compounds
  Synonym: cyanamide

Wikipedia: Calcium cyanamide
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Calcium cyanamide
Calcium cyanamide.png
IUPAC name
Other names Cyanamide calcium salt, Lime Nitrogen, UN 1403, Nitrolime
Identifiers
CAS number 156-62-7 Yes check.svgY
PubChem 4685067
EC number 205-861-8
UN number 1403
RTECS number GS6000000
SMILES
InChI
InChI key STRTXDFFNXSZQB-UHFFFAOYAA
ChemSpider ID 10669887
Properties
Molecular formula CaCN2
Molar mass 80.102 g/mol
Appearance White solid (Often gray or black from impurities)
Odor odorless
Density 2.29 g/cm3
Melting point

1340 °C [1]
Boiling point

1150-1200 °C (sublim.)
Solubility in water Reacts
Hazards
MSDS ICSC 1639
EU Index 615-017-00-4
EU classification Harmful (Xn)
Irritant (Xi)
R-phrases R22 R37 R41
S-phrases (S2) S22 S26 S36/37/39
NFPA 704
NFPA 704.svg
0
3
1
W
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds Cyanamide
Calcium carbide
 Yes check.svgY (what is this?)  (verify)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Calcium cyanamide or CaCN2 is a calcium compound used as fertiliser,[2] first synthesized in 1898 by Adolph Frank and Nikodem Caro.[3] It is formed when calcium carbide reacts with nitrogen. It is commercially known as Nitrolim.

CaC2 + N2 → CaCN2 + C

The reaction takes place in large steel chambers. An electric carbon element heats the reactants to red heat. Nitrogen is pressurised at 2 atmospheres.

It crystalizes in hexagonal crystal system with space group R3m and lattice constants a = 3.67, c = 14.85 (.10-1 nm).[4]

Contents

Preparation

Calcium cyanamide is prepared from calcium carbide. The carbide powder is heated at about 1,000°C in an electric furnace into which nitrogen is passed for several hours. The product is cooled to ambient temperatures and any unreacted carbide is leached out cautiously with water.

CaC2 + N2 → CaCN2 + C (ΔHƒ°= –69.0 kcal/mol at 25°C)

Uses

The main use of calcium cyanamide is in agriculture as a fertilizer.[2] In contact with water it decomposes and liberates ammonia:

CaCN2 + 3 H2O → 2 NH3 + CaCO3

It was used to produce sodium cyanide by fusing with sodium carbonate, which was used in cyanide process in gold mining:

CaCN2 + Na2CO3 → 2 NaCN + CaO + O2

It can also be used in the preparation of calcium cyanide and melamine.

References

  1. ^ Pradyot Patnaik. Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN 0070494398
  2. ^ a b Auchmoody, L.R.; Wendel, G.W. (1973). "Effect of calcium cyanamide on growth and nutrition of plan fed yellow-poplar seedlings". U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/23629. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  3. ^ "History of Degussa: Rich harvest, healthy environment". http://www.degussa-history.com/geschichte/en/inventions/calcium_cyanamide/. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  4. ^ F. Brezina, J. Mollin, R. Pastorek, Z. Sindelar. Chemicke tabulky anorganickych sloucenin (Chemical tables of inorganic compounds). SNTL, 1986.

See also

External links


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