Barium azide Ba₂ is an inorganic azide

Azide

Azide is the anion with the formula N3−. It is the conjugate base of hydrazoic acid. N3− is a linear anion that is isoelectronic with CO2 and N2O. Per valence bond theory, azide can be described by several resonance structures, an important one being N−=N+=N−...

, is explosive, but less sensitive to mechanical shock than lead azide.

Uses

Can be used to make azides of magnesium (but its hydrolytic tendency frustrated efforts to isolate it), sodium

Sodium azide

Sodium azide is the inorganic compound with the formula NaN3. This colourless azide salt is the gas-forming component in many car airbag systems. It is used for the preparation of other azide compounds. It is an ionic substance and is highly soluble in water. It is extremely...

, potassium

Potassium azide

Potassium azide is the chemical compound having the formula . It is the potassium salt of hydrazoic acid, and crystallizes in a tetragonal structure. Upon heating or irradiation with ultraviolet light, it decomposes into potassium metal and nitrogen gas...

, lithium

Lithium azide

Lithium azide is the lithium salt of hydrazoic acid. It is an unstable and toxic compound that decomposes into lithium and nitrogen when heated.-Preparation:It can be prepared by metathesis reaction between sodium azide and lithium nitrate:...

, rubidium and zinc with their respective sulfates.

Ba(N3)₂ + Li₂SO₄ → 2 LiN₃ + BaSO₄

It can also be used in the preparation of extra pure nitrogen on heating :

Ba(N₃)₂ →Ba + 3N₂