CAIE A-Level Chemistry 12.1.1 Lack of Reactivity of Nitrogen

Practise explaining nitrogen’s low reactivity through the strength of the N≡N triple bond and the molecule’s non-polarity.

Exam points

state that breaking the strong N≡N triple covalent bond requires a large activation energy
state that N2 is non-polar, so it has little attraction towards charged or polar reactants
link these two molecular features to slow reaction under ordinary conditions rather than saying N2 has no lone pair

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Compounds P, Q and R have all been found in the atmosphere of one of Saturn's moons.
P

The equation for the complete combustion of $\mathbf{P}, \mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{~N}_{2}(\mathrm{I})$ , is shown.

\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{~N}_{2}(\mathrm{I})+4 \mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow 4 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{N}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \quad \Delta H=-2036 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}

One of the products of the complete combustion of P is nitrogen gas, $\mathrm{N}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})$ .

Explain the lack of reactivity of nitrogen.

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