Beryllium nitride

Beryllium nitride, Be₃N₂, is a nitride of beryllium. It can be prepared from the elements at high temperature (1100–1500 °C), unlike Beryllium azide or BeN₆, it decomposes in vacuum into beryllium and nitrogen. It is readily hydrolysed forming beryllium hydroxide and ammonia. It has two polymorphic forms cubic α-Be₃N₂ with a defect anti-fluorite structure, and hexagonal β-Be₃N₂. It reacts with silicon nitride, Si₃N₄ in a stream of ammonia at 1800–1900°C to form BeSiN₂.