Why Mg2N2 is not possible?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
Mar 7, 2018

Because the oxidation states don't balance...

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal in group 2A, and nitrogen is a pnictogen in group 15A. #"Mg"# has a common oxidation state of #2+# and #"N"# has a common oxidation state of #3-#. Therefore,

#3"Mg"^(2+) + 2"N"^(3-) -> "Mg"_3"N"_2#

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