What is the oxidation of the nitrogen in this case NaN3?

Question

What is the oxidation of the nitrogen in this case NaN3

Answer 1

Are you sure you didn't mean Na3N? Na is alway 1+ oxidation #, and N can have an oxidation # of 3-

If you did mean Na3N then Na = 1+ and N = 3-

If you meant NaN3 it cannot be done. Na = 1+ and N cannot = 1/3 -

Answer 2

The azide anion -N3 exists as a resonance hybrid (of 3 forms) where the 3 N's form a triangle. At any given time, 2 of the N's have a double bond between them, and these 2 N's have a single bond to the 3rd N. This third N (with just 2 single bonds) carries an additional unshared electron, and so has a valence of -1 (while the other two N's have a valence of zero). Thus, the three N's DO NOT all simultaneously have the same valence.

The reason it is in a resonance hybrid is that there are 3 possible ways of drawing the bonds/unshared electron in this triangle pattern. This resonance stabilizes the anion (without resonance it would be too unstable to exist!).

Answer 3

-3