An azide is a N3- anion, or a reactive group in organic chemistry where a carbon substituent is attached as RN3.The anion's structure is:
- N-=N+=N-
with a net charge of -1.
Some azide salts are very explosive when heated or shaken, such as AgN3, which is used in airbags.
The azide anion is toxic, inhibiting the function of cytochrome oxidase by binding irreversibly to the heme cofactor, in a process similar to that of carbon monoxide.
Organic azides are relatively stable substituents, they act as eletrophiles on the nitrogen attached to the carbon (liberating nitrogen when attacked by a nucleophile), and have electron-donating character for the neighboring carbon. Azides engage in useful reactions, such as the Staudinger Ligation or the alkyne-azide "click" addition.
- See also: lead azide Sodium azide
Functional groups
