The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

430 PRIMARY EXPLOSIVES, DETONATORS, AND PRIMERS
H2S + HN3
3H2S + 2HNO8
> S + N2 + NH8
> 3S + 2NO + 4H2O
Mixed with hydrochloric acid it forms a liquid, comparable to
aqua regia, which is capable of dissolving platinum.
Pt + 2HN3 + 4HC1 > PtCU + 2N2 + 2NH3
3Pt + 4HNO3 + 12HC1 > 3PtCl4 + 4NO + 8H2O
Hydrazoic acid and permanganate mutually reduce each other
with the evolution of a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The acid
and its salts give with ferric chloride solution a deep red coloration,
similar to that produced by thiocyanates, but the color is
discharged by hydrochloric acid.
The solubilities of the azides in general are similar to those of
the chlorides. Thus, silver azide is soluble in ammonia water and
insoluble in nitric acid. Lead azide, like lead chloride, is sparingly
soluble in cold water, but hot water dissolves enough of it so that
it crystallizes out when the solution is cooled. One hundred grams
of water at 18° dissolve 0.03 gram, at 80° 0.09 gram.
The true density of lead azide is 4.8, but the loose powder has
an apparent density of about 1.2.
Lead azide is dissolved by an aqueous solution of ammonium
acetate, but it is not destroyed by it. The solution contains azide
ions and lead ions, the latter quantitatively precipitable as lead
chromate, PbCrO4, by the addition of potassium dichromate solution.
Lead azide in aqueous suspension is oxidized by eerie sulfate
with the quantitative production of nitrogen gas which may be
collected in an azotometer and used for the determination of the
azide radical.
Pb(N3)2 + 2Ce(SO4)2
> PbSO4 + 3N2 + Ce2(SO4)3
Nitrous acid oxidizes hydrazoic acid with the evolution of nitrogen.
A dilute solution of nitric or acetic acid, in which a little
sodium nitrite has been dissolved, dissolves and destroys lead
azide. Such a solution may conveniently be used for washing
floors, benches, etc., on which lead azide may have been spilled.
Silver Azide
Silver azide is a more efficient initiator than mercury fulminate,
and about as efficient as lead azide. It melts at 251° and decomposes
rapidly above its melting point into silver and nitrogen. Its