N3H

N3H, often referred to as nitrogen trihydride, is a theoretical organometallic compound comprising a linear chain of three nitrogen atoms bonded to a single hydrogen atom. It has the molecular formula N3H and is typically represented in structural drawings as H–N–N=N. The compound has been postulated in theoretical studies of high-energy nitrogen-rich materials but has not yet been isolated in laboratory conditions.

Synthesis attempts have focused on high-pressure, high-temperature environments that might stabilize the extended nitrogen framework. One proposed method involves the dissociation of dinitrogen (N2) in the presence of a reactive hydrogen source under plasma or shock-wave conditions, followed by controlled quenching to preserve the N3H fragment. Computational chemistry suggests that the N–N bonds in N3H would be relatively short and possess triple-bond character, giving the molecule a high degree of bond strain and making it highly energetic.

Theoretical investigations predict that N3H would have a very high enthalpy of formation, making it a candidate for use as an energetic material or propellant component. However, its predicted reactivity is such that it would decompose violently under ambient conditions, releasing nitrogen gas and hydrogen. As a result, practical applications are limited, and the compound remains largely of academic interest, offering insight into the limits of nitrogen bonding and the design of high-energy-density materials.

Research literature on N3H is sparse, largely confined to hypothesis-driven studies in computational chemistry and advanced spectroscopy. No stable samples have been documented, and the compound is not listed on major chemical databases. Its study continues to contribute to the broader understanding of nitrogen polymorphism and the stability of multibonded nitrogen clusters.