Properties
S4N4 is stable to air. It is, however, unstable in the thermodynamic sense with a positive enthalpy of formation of +460 kJ mol−1. This endothermic enthalpy of formation anticipates its inherent instability, and originates in the difference in energy of S4N4 compared to its highly stable decomposition products:
- 2 S4N4 → 4 N2 + S8
Although many complex molecules are unstable in a thermodynamic sense yet stable kinetically, this is uncommon for very simple compositions, such as sulfur nitride.
Because one of its decomposition products is a gas, S4N4 is an explosive. Purer samples tend to be more explosive. Small samples can be detonated by striking with a hammer.
S4N4 is thermochromic, changing from pale yellow below −30 °C to orange at room temperature to deep red above 100 °C.
Read more about this topic: Tetrasulfur Tetranitride
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